Catheter Curve Shape Strut for Predictable Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophysiology catheters face challenges in achieving predictable and repeatable asymmetric and symmetric deflection of the distal deflectable section, which is crucial for precise positioning during medical procedures like ablation treatments.
Innovation Solution
A catheter curve shape strut design featuring a longitudinally-extending cylindrical wall with strategically arranged slots and arches, along with pull wires and an outer body, allows for controlled deflection by facilitating preferentially-planar, asymmetric, and symmetric curve formations, ensuring precise positioning and reduced variability in manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional catheter designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but deflection predictability and repeatability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is segmented into multiple deflectable sections, each with its own curve shape strut. The strut itself is segmented into multiple cylindrical sections with different slot patterns. This segmentation allows independent control of deflection in different regions, improving predictability and repeatability of deflection behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the strut have different slot patterns and arch configurations. The first cylindrical section has slots at different orientations than the second cylindrical section, creating local variations in flexibility and deflection characteristics. This local quality variation enables precise control over deflection behavior in different regions of the catheter.
2Manufacturing precision
If asymmetric deflection control is improved, then positioning precision is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strut incorporates asymmetric slot patterns where slots in the first cylindrical section are oriented differently from slots in the second cylindrical section. This asymmetry creates preferential deflection in specific directions, enabling precise positioning control. The asymmetric design is manufactured using precision laser cutting or mechanical milling of the cylindrical sections before assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot patterns and arch configurations are pre-designed and pre-manufactured into the cylindrical sections during strut fabrication. This preliminary action ensures that the asymmetric geometry is built-in from the start, achieving positioning precision without requiring complex post-manufacturing adjustments or assemblies.
3Measurement precision
If deflection control is enhanced, then procedural accuracy improves, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The curve shape strut uses a thin-walled cylindrical structure with slots that provide flexibility for deflection while maintaining sufficient structural integrity. The wall thickness and slot dimensions are optimized to balance flexibility and strength, allowing the strut to deflect predictably without compromising the overall catheter shaft strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The strut incorporates arches and curved geometries that naturally distribute mechanical stresses during deflection. The curved architecture provides structural reinforcement while enabling the desired deflection behavior, maintaining strength despite the flexible, slot-containing design.
Data Source
AI summary
Catheter curve shape struts for steerable medical devices such as catheters are disclosed. These struts may not only help shape a steerable portion of a medical device (e.g., a distal portion of a catheter), but also may help to return a steered or deflected portion of the medical device to an uncurved configuration when it is no longer desirable or necessary to steer or deflect the medical device. These struts may include first and second pluralities of complementary, staggered cutout regions. When used in a catheter that is deployed via an introducer, at least some configurations of the catheter curve shape strut can enable the catheter to be rotated about its longitudinal axis, even when the distal deflectable section is in a curved configuration and inside of the introducer.