Balloon Catheter Core Wire Bonding for Pushability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Balloon catheters face challenges in navigating tortuous anatomy due to increased distal flexibility, which can lead to kinking and buckling, and difficulty in pushability through the vasculature, especially at transition points between stiff and flexible shaft sections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a core wire within the inflation lumen of the catheter shaft, attached to the inner surface at discrete bond points, enhances flexibility transition and pushability by improving force transmission, with a polymer sleeve aiding bonding and reducing fluid flow impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter shaft is made more flexible to navigate tortuous anatomy, then navigability is improved, but pushability deteriorates due to kinking and buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is divided into multiple sections with different flexibility characteristics. A transition zone is created where the shaft gradually changes from stiff to flexible, preventing sudden buckling while maintaining navigability in tortuous anatomy
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the catheter shaft have locally optimized properties: the proximal section is stiffer for pushability, the distal section is more flexible for navigation, and the transition zone provides gradual flexibility change to prevent kinking
2Ease of operation
If a core wire is added to improve pushability, then force transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core wire is nested within the existing inflation lumen of the catheter shaft, utilizing the available internal space without adding external bulk or requiring separate structural components
Solution Approach 2:
The core wire serves multiple functions: it provides pushability by transmitting force, maintains the shape of the catheter shaft, and prevents kinking during navigation through tortuous anatomy
Data Source
AI summary
Balloon catheter and methods for making and using balloon catheters are disclosed. An example balloon catheter may include a proximal shaft. A midshaft may be attached to the proximal shaft. The midshaft may have an outer wall. A distal shaft may be attached to the midshaft. A balloon may be coupled to the distal shaft. An inflation lumen may be defined that extends from the proximal shaft, through the midshaft, and into the distal shaft. The inflation lumen may be in fluid communication with the balloon. A core wire may be disposed within the inflation lumen and may be attached to the midshaft.