Catheter Drive Shaft Support via Extended Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems face issues with drive cable buckling during distal advancement, which can hinder the catheter's functionality and potentially damage the cable, and previous solutions have increased the assembly complexity and cost by requiring additional components.
Innovation Solution
A self-lubricating O-ring seal and a longer sheath portion that telescopes into the inner telescope member provide continuous support to the drive cable, preventing buckling without the need for additional components, thus ensuring smooth distal advancement of the drive cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate reinforcing structure is positioned within the telescope section to support the drive cable, then drive cable buckling is prevented, but catheter assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive cable support function with the existing sheath structure by extending the sheath distally to provide continuous support for the drive cable within the telescope section. This eliminates the need for a separate reinforcing structure, thereby preventing drive cable buckling while avoiding increased assembly complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Ease of operation
If the inner telescope member is moved to its extended position, then the drive cable can be retracted, but the exposed portion of the drive cable becomes unsupported and may buckle
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is extended distally in advance to provide continuous support for the drive cable within the telescope section before the inner telescope member is moved to its extended position. This preliminary support structure prevents the drive cable from buckling when it becomes exposed during retraction operations.
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
This solution effectively prevents drive cable buckling, simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for extra support structures, and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the catheter's functionality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A self-lubricating O-ring seal and a longer sheath portion that telescopes into the inner telescope member provide continuous support to the drive cable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A catheter apparatus (10) is presented, which comprises an elongated flexible tubing assembly (12) having a telescope section (24), the telescope section including a tubular outer telescope member (34) and a tubular inner telescope member (44) longitudinally movable through the interior of the outer telescope member from a retracted position to an extended position. The elongated flexible tubing assembly further comprises a sheath member (20) anchored to the outer telescope member by a coupling (38). The proximal sheath section functions to support the section of the drive member (14) positioned within the telescoping section whether the telescoping section is in an extended position, in a retracted position, or any position therebetween.