Catheter Lubricious Insert for Low-Force Stent Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical device delivery systems face challenges in accurately deploying stents within body lumens due to high force requirements for withdrawal, leading to potential stretching and compression of components, which can compromise deployment accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates inserts with a higher lubricity than the inner member, positioned in sockets along the inner member, reducing contact between the outer and inner members and allowing for low-force withdrawal, thereby minimizing stretching and compression during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the outer member is withdrawn from the inner member during deployment, then the stent can be deployed, but high force is required which causes stretching of the outer member and compression of the inner member, compromising deployment accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A lubricious insert is introduced as an intermediary component between the outer member and inner member. This insert reduces the coefficient of friction during withdrawal, allowing the outer member to be pulled back with significantly lower force. The insert acts as a mediator that prevents direct high-friction contact between the outer and inner members, thereby eliminating the harmful stretching and compression effects while enabling accurate stent deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coefficient of friction parameter is changed by introducing a lubricious insert material with low surface friction properties. This parameter change transforms the high-friction interface between outer and inner members into a low-friction interface, allowing smooth withdrawal without excessive force. The material selection and surface properties are specifically optimized to minimize friction while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the outer member is withdrawn with high force to deploy the stent, then deployment can be achieved, but this causes stretching of the outer member and compression of the inner member
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricious insert serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct high-force contact between the outer and inner members. During withdrawal, the insert absorbs and distributes the withdrawal forces, preventing stress concentration that would otherwise cause stretching of the outer member or compression of the inner member. This maintains the structural integrity and dimensional stability of both components throughout the deployment process.
3Device complexity
If the inner member contacts the outer member directly, then the structure is simpler, but high friction increases withdrawal force requirements and reduces deployment precision
Solution Approach 1:
The interface between the outer member and inner member is segmented by introducing a separate lubricious insert component. Rather than having direct contact between the two main structural components, the interface is divided into distinct segments: the outer member, the lubricious insert, and the inner member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing friction and improving deployment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricious insert is positioned as an intermediary layer between the outer and inner members, creating a low-friction interface. This intermediate component simplifies the overall interaction by providing a consistent, low-friction surface that enables smooth withdrawal without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms or excessive force.
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 design enhances deployment accuracy by reducing the force needed for withdrawal, minimizing material deformation and improving the precision of stent placement within body lumens.
Implementation Method 1
the lubricity of the insert is different from the lubricity of the inner member. For example, the insert can be formed of a polymeric material, e.g., a fluorinated polymer, that is more lubricious than the inner member
Data Source
AI summary
Catheters, as well as related systems and methods are disclosed.