Deflectable Catheter Fixation Member Pull Wire Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deflectable shaft catheters face challenges in manufacturing cost and complexity, as well as in the efficient transfer of forces and reduced decoupling of the pull wire from the distal end.
Innovation Solution
The use of an overmolded distal end with a fixation member anchored to a pull wire, which is coupled to an elongate member, reduces manufacturing costs and complexity while improving the transfer of forces and reducing decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pull wires are anchored directly to the elongate member without a fixation member, then the structure is simpler, but the transfer of pull force and push force is less efficient and decoupling occurs more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation member serves as an intermediary component between the pull wire and the elongate member. It provides a dedicated anchoring point that improves force transfer efficiency while being integrated into the overmolded distal end, thus not significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation member is merged with the overmolded distal end of the elongate member, creating an integrated structure. This combination allows the fixation member to be securely attached while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and not adding excessive complexity to the catheter system
2Reliability
If pull wires are anchored directly to the elongate member without a fixation member, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the operational reliability is reduced due to decoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The overmolded distal end with the fixation member is pre-formed as an integrated component. This preliminary action of creating a ready-to-attach fixation structure simplifies the assembly process and improves anchoring reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation member acts as a mediator that provides a secure anchoring interface for the pull wire. Its integration into the overmolded distal end allows for reliable wire attachment while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through the overmolding process
3Reliability
If an overmolded distal end with fixation member is used, then force transfer and anchoring reliability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation member is merged with the overmolded distal end to create an integrated component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining anchoring reliability, thus not significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The overmolded distal end uses composite construction with the fixation member integrated into the molded structure. This composite approach provides both the anchoring functionality and structural integrity while being manufactured as a single integrated piece, balancing reliability with manufacturing efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An example catheter includes an elongate member having a wall defining a longitudinally extending lumen, a fixation member disposed on an exterior surface of the wall of a distal portion of the elongate member, a pull wire extending axially through the wall of the elongate member and coupled to the fixation member, and a member portion encasing at least a portion of the fixation member, where the fixation member is shaped to engage the distal member in response to a pull force applied to the pull wire to cause the elongate member to deflect from an initial configuration to a deflected configuration.