Catheter Deformable Region With Less Lubricous Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheters used for vascular procedures face challenges in maintaining sufficient friction with vascular walls for effective indwelling, leading to poor backup capability and reduced operability when inserted into narrow, complex blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring a deformable region on the inner side when bent, with a less lubricous portion on the outer surface and a surface lubricating layer, allowing for improved friction and backup capability while maintaining smooth insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outer surface is covered with a hydrophilic polymer material for lubrication, then the catheter can be smoothly inserted into narrow and complicated blood vessels, but the frictional force against the vascular wall becomes weak and the catheter is less likely to be fixed to the vascular inner wall
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter surface is divided into two distinct regions: a lubricous portion covered with hydrophilic polymer material for smooth insertion, and a less lubricous portion without this coating for strong friction and fixation. This local differentiation allows the catheter to exhibit different surface properties at different locations, resolving the contradiction between insertion smoothness and indwelling fixation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter is made flexible to navigate complicated blood vessel patterns, then the catheter can be inserted into narrow blood vessels, but the catheter lacks sufficient backup capability when indwelling
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure is divided into a flexible portion for navigating complicated blood vessel patterns and a rigid portion for providing backup capability during indwelling. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the catheter to be both flexible enough to navigate narrow and tortuous vessels while maintaining sufficient rigidity to provide stable backup force when positioned at the target site.
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
Enhances operability during insertion and indwelling by providing strong friction for secure positioning within the vascular system, improving the catheter's ability to be reliably held in place.
Implementation Method 1
an outer surface of the catheter main body is covered with a hydrophilic polymer material for lubricating the outer surface
Implementation Method 2
a less lubricous portion which is less lubricous than the surface lubricating layer is disposed in at least a portion of the deformable region
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
According to the present invention, there is provided a catheter which can achieve satisfactory operability and backup capability. According to the present invention there is provided a catheter having a lumen which is introduced into and indwelled in a body lumen. The catheter includes a deformable region that is parallel to the lumen of the catheter, and that extends in an axial direction. The deformable region is configured to be located on an inner side of a curved section when the catheter is bent so as to form the curved section. At least a portion of an outer surface of the catheter is covered with a surface lubricating layer. On the outer surface of the catheter, a less lubricous portion which is less lubricous than the surface lubricating layer is disposed in at least a portion of the deformable region, and the surface lubricating layer and the less lubricous portion are disposed at the same position in the axial direction of the catheter.