Steerable Catheter Flexing Tip Arcuate Slits Kinking Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current steerable catheters are complex, require complicated mechanical structures for maneuvering, prone to kinking, and lack the ability to bend in a single plane for precise navigation within bodily cavities, limiting their utility in tight spaces and requiring larger diameters for imaging and treatment.

Innovation Solution

A steerable catheter with a flexing tip member featuring arcuate slits and a braided sheath, allowing for precise bending in one plane without kinking, coupled with an imaging device for focused visualization, and a simple actuator mechanism for easy maneuverability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If complicated mechanical structures are used to articulate the distal tip, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complicated mechanical articulation structures with a simpler system using guide tendons and a flexing tip member. The guide tendons extend through the catheter body to the flexing tip member, allowing bending through tendon actuation rather than complex mechanical joints. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining maneuverability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the catheter body is made more rigid to avoid kinking, then reliability is improved, but the ability to bend the tip becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to kinkingVSAvoidtip bending capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the catheter into distinct segments: a rigid catheter body portion that resists kinking during insertion, and a separate flexing tip member that is designed to be bendable. The flexing tip member has a different structural composition allowing it to flex while the main body remains rigid. This segmentation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural properties to different parts of the catheter. The catheter body is made rigid with appropriate support structures to prevent kinking, while the flexing tip member is constructed with materials and geometry that enable controlled bending. This local differentiation of structural quality allows the catheter to have both rigidity where needed and flexibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter is designed to bend in multiple directions, then versatility is improved, but the precision of single-plane bending decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending directionsVSAvoidsingle-plane bending precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric positioning of guide tendons within the flexing tip member to control bending direction. The guide tendons are positioned to provide precise control in a specific plane, while the overall structure allows for versatile navigation. This asymmetric arrangement enables precise single-plane bending while maintaining adaptability for different navigation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Enables accurate, low-cost, and portable catheter navigation through tight spaces with minimal pressure, preventing kinking and providing focused imaging regardless of proximity to target tissue, while eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of the catheter body includes a braided sheath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBraided structure reinforcement:

Implementation Method 2

the flexing tip member has a wall with a first plurality of arcuate slits and a second plurality of arcuate slits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10363398B2Steerable catheter with flexing tip member

Publication Date: 2019.07.30 SANOVAS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC

AI summary

A steerable catheter device includes a catheter body, a flexing tip member coupled to a distal end of the catheter body and having a wall with a first plurality of arcuate slits and a second plurality of arcuate slits, the first and second plurality of slits being diametrically opposed and alternating with each other, and an actuator that bends the flexing tip member, wherein at least a portion of the catheter body includes a braided sheath, and wherein each of the first and second plurality of slits has two ends and a center positioned midway between the two ends, and wherein all of the first plurality of slits have centers positioned along a first axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body and all of the second plurality of slits have centers positioned along a second axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter body.