Catheter with Inflatable Balloon for Steering and Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheters lack advanced steering and anchoring mechanisms, particularly in flexible endoscopes, which hinder precise navigation and secure positioning within varying body cavities like the small and large intestines.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring a bendable elongate element with a selectively inflatable balloon and a steering mechanism, allowing for controlled bending and anchoring through inflation, enabling precise navigation and secure positioning within body cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a catheter is made flexible to navigate body cavities, then navigability is improved, but steering control and positioning precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple rigid segments connected by articulation joints, allowing the distal end to be steered independently while maintaining overall flexibility. The articulation mechanism enables controlled bending at specific locations without compromising the structural integrity or steerability of the catheter.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates an articulation mechanism with movable joints that allow dynamic adjustment of the catheter's shape and orientation. This enables the catheter to transition between straight and bent configurations, providing both flexibility for navigation and controlled positioning when needed.
2Reliability
If a catheter is made rigid for stable positioning, then anchoring security is improved, but flexibility and navigability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure separates the proximal support section (more rigid) from the distal navigation section (more flexible), with articulation joints connecting them. This segmentation allows the proximal end to provide stable anchoring while the distal end maintains flexibility for navigating complex body cavities.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates flexible articulation joints and bending sections that allow controlled deformation. These flexible elements enable the catheter to adapt to varying body cavity geometries while maintaining sufficient structural support for secure positioning when required.
3Ease of manufacture
If a catheter has a simple structure for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but steering and anchoring functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is constructed from modular segments that can be manufactured separately and assembled through standardized articulation joints. This modular approach simplifies manufacturing of individual components while enabling complex steering functionality through the combination of segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism uses straightforward mechanical joints with moving parts that can be manufactured using conventional techniques. These dynamic joints provide sophisticated steering capability without requiring complex manufacturing processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while enhancing functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The catheter achieves enhanced flexibility and secure anchoring within body cavities, facilitating improved navigation and treatment efficacy during endoscopic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
at least one selectably inflatable balloon communicating with at least one of the at least one lumen
Implementation Method 2
a bendable portion at a predetermined bendable portion location therealong
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A catheter including a tube having at least one lumen, at least one elongate element, the at least one elongate element having a bendable portion at a predetermined bendable portion location therealong forward of a distal end of the tube and at least one selectably inflatable balloon communicating with at least one of the at least one lumen, the at least one selectably inflatable balloon having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end of the balloon being located rearwardly of the predetermined bendable portion location.