Deflection Indicator for Vascular Catheter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the degree of deflection of a steerable vascular catheter within a patient's vasculature rely on X-ray observation of radiopaque markers, which is not always practical or efficient.
Innovation Solution
A deflectable vascular catheter with a proximal handle assembly, an elongated catheter shaft, and a drive mechanism that includes a linear drive screw and a visual indicator, allowing for the determination of the degree of deflection without X-ray observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If X-ray observation of radiopaque markers is used to determine deflection degree, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but procedural time increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the deflection information by projecting an image of the drive screw onto a surface visible to the surgeon. This optical copy allows real-time observation of deflection degree without requiring X-ray imaging, thus maintaining measurement accuracy while eliminating the time loss associated with X-ray procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/X-ray imaging system with an optical projection system. Instead of using radiopaque markers that require X-ray observation, the invention uses a visual projection mechanism that directly displays deflection information to the surgeon's line of sight, substituting a complex imaging system with a simpler optical display
2Loss of information
If X-ray imaging is used continuously to monitor catheter position, then real-time deflection information is obtained, but radiation exposure increases and procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive screw image projection creates a visual replica of the catheter's deflection state that can be observed in real-time without radiation. The projection serves as an information copy that conveys the same deflection data that would otherwise require X-ray imaging, eliminating harmful radiation exposure while maintaining real-time information availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical projection as an intermediary between the catheter's mechanical deflection and the surgeon's observation. This intermediary converts mechanical position information into visual information that can be perceived directly, eliminating the need for ionizing radiation as the information transmission medium
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If radiopaque markers are placed on the catheter tip, then deflection can be observed under X-ray, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the catheter tip itself and relocates it to the drive screw mechanism in the handle assembly. By projecting the image of the drive screw rather than observing markers on the catheter, the invention removes the need for radiopaque markers and their associated complexity from the catheter structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical marker system with an optical projection system. Instead of attaching radiopaque markers to the catheter, the invention uses the existing drive screw mechanism and projects its image to provide measurement capability, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A deflectable catheter is disclosed that includes a proximal handle, an elongated catheter shaft extending distally from the proximal handle and including a deflectable distal end portion, a drive mechanism associated with the proximal handle for deflecting the distal end portion of the catheter shaft between a first position where the distal end portion of the catheter shaft is aligned with an axis of the catheter shaft and a second position where the distal end portion of the catheter shaft is deflected angularly away from the axis of the catheter shaft, and indicator means associated with the drive mechanism for providing a visual indication of the position of the drive mechanism, which corresponds to a degree of curved deflection of the deflectable distal end portion of the catheter shaft.