Catheter Cutting Element for Minimally Invasive Vein Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins are invasive, cause side effects like skin inflammation, vascular perforations, and have limitations such as secondary venous patency and clot formation, necessitating a less invasive and more effective method for vein closure.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with a springy, resilient cutting element having arc-shaped arms with conically pointed endings that can be extended and retracted for mechanical irritation of vein walls, combined with a channel for administering chemical agents, allowing for minimally invasive mechanical and chemical obliteration of veins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods (laser, ultrasound, chemical injection) are used for vein ablation, then vein closure is achieved, but side effects such as skin inflammation, vascular perforations, and clot formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal (laser), acoustic (ultrasound), and chemical ablation methods with a mechanical cutting element that physically iritates and damages the vein wall to induce contraction and closure. This mechanical approach avoids the harmful thermal effects, chemical irritation, and clot formation associated with conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting element's configuration parameters (number of arms 3-10, arm angle 30-60 degrees, tip geometry) are optimized to achieve effective vein irritation while minimizing tissue damage. The controlled mechanical parameters allow precise vein wall interaction that induces contraction without causing excessive harm.
2Reliability
If a mechanical cutting element is introduced to cause vein contraction, then vein closure is achieved, but the risk of uncontrolled vessel contraction and additional tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting element is designed with movable arms that can be dynamically adjusted between a retracted position (during insertion) and an extended position (during vein irritation). This dynamic configuration allows controlled interaction with the vein wall, enabling the operator to adjust the degree of irritation and avoid uncontrolled contraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting element features localized sharp tips on each arm that concentrate the mechanical irritation effect specifically at the vein wall contact points. This localized quality ensures that the contraction-inducing effect is applied precisely where needed while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
3Reliability
If the catheter is designed to accommodate a cutting element with multiple arms, then the cutting effectiveness is improved, but the catheter size increases making it difficult to navigate narrow vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting element with multiple arms (3-10) is designed to nest within the catheter body during insertion and delivery. The arms are retracted into the catheter shaft, allowing the entire assembly to pass through narrow access vessels. Once positioned, the arms extend outward to achieve effective vein wall irritation. This nested configuration resolves the contradiction between cutting effectiveness and catheter size.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting element is segmented into multiple independent arms (3-10) that can be individually configured and positioned. This segmentation allows the cutting function to be distributed across multiple small contact points rather than requiring a single large cutting structure, thereby maintaining effectiveness while reducing overall catheter profile.
4Adaptability or versatility
If chemical agents are administered through the catheter, then chemical obliteration is achieved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both the mechanical cutting element for physical vein irritation and a channel for chemical agent administration. This universal design allows the single device to perform both mechanical and chemical obliteration functions, providing versatility without requiring separate devices for each modality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical cutting element and chemical delivery system are merged into a single integrated catheter assembly. The cutting element and chemical channel work in coordination, with the cutting element creating controlled damage while chemical agents are administered through the same access point, achieving synergistic obliteration effect while minimizing overall device complexity.
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 effectively causes vein contractions and closure with reduced risk of side effects, enabling repeated procedures and simultaneous mechanical and chemical sclerotization, suitable for narrow or deformed vessels, and minimizing catheter size for precise operation.
Implementation Method 1
mechanical irritation of the vessels is proposed. Such a device allows solving many of the problems signalled above
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
There is presented the catheter comprising a cutting element and an insertion tube, characterised in that the springy resilient cutting element (1) consists of the sleeve (1a) and the profiled longitudinal arms (1 b) with the sharp endings (1c), protruding from it and directed towards the atraumatic tip (7), wherein the element (1) is mounted on the assembly (2) of the inner tube.