Catheter Assembly Bifurcation Navigation Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures require multiple devices to position a guide wire in a side branch of a bifurcation and subsequently anchor a catheter, increasing operation time, complexity, and risk, as well as economic costs due to the need for multiple device manipulations within blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

A catheter assembly comprising a tubular body with a central lumen and a mandrel that can change shape to navigate bifurcations, allowing a single device to position and anchor itself within a blood vessel, including a flexible end portion that can curve to engage side branches and a radially expandable balloon for stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple devices are used to position guide wire and anchor catheter in side branch, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the guide wire positioning function and catheter anchoring function into a single integrated catheter assembly. The catheter includes an introducer portion for guide wire insertion and a distal anchoring portion with expandable structure, eliminating the need for separate guide wires and anchoring devices while maintaining positioning accuracy in side branches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: introducing guide wires, positioning in side branches, and anchoring the catheter in place. The distal end features an expandable structure that can anchor the catheter, while the introducer portion allows guide wire insertion, making it a universal device for both positioning and anchoring operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple devices are used for guide wire positioning and catheter anchoring, then positioning reliability is improved, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is pre-configured with the introducer portion and distal anchoring portion integrated together. The guide wire can be inserted through the introducer portion before the catheter is fully positioned, allowing preliminary actions to be completed in advance, thereby reducing overall operation time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple devices are manipulated within blood vessels, then positioning precision is improved, but patient risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidpatient risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the guide wire introduction and catheter anchoring functions into a single catheter assembly, the number of device manipulations within the blood vessel is reduced. This minimizes the risk of vessel wall injury, embolism, or other complications associated with multiple device insertions and manipulations, while still achieving precise positioning in side branches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient and safe positioning and anchoring of medical devices within blood vessels, reducing operation time and complexity by using a single device to navigate bifurcations and perform procedures like angioplasty or thromboaspiration, while minimizing risks to the patient and reducing the number of devices needed.

Implementation Method 1

a radially expandable balloon for stabilization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial expansion:

Implementation Method 2

a flexible end portion that can curve to engage side branches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlexibility: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2376173B1Catheter, catheter assembly and medical apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 INVATEC
  • EP2376173B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2376173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2376173B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a catheter suitable for conducting and positioning a medical device in an organic cavity comprising at least one side branch, such as a blood vessel, which comprises a tubular body, having a central lumen having a cross-section suitable for the passage of the medical device and a mandrel slidable in the central lumen and distally a flexible end portion. On the outer surface of the mandrel there is a longitudinal groove defining, with the inner wall of the tubular body, a passage suitable for receiving a first guide wire in a sliding manner. In addition, in the mandrel there is an inner lumen suitable for housing a second guide wire in a sliding manner. The present invention further relates to a catheter assembly comprising the aforesaid catheter and a method of use the same.