Multi-Function Catheter Probe for Spinal Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional catheters and probes lack flexibility and multifunctionality, making them inadequate for accessing and treating certain regions within the epidural, spinal, and paravertebral spaces for chronic neurogenic pain, as they often have limited functionality and are too large or inflexible to effectively reach target areas.

Innovation Solution

A multi-purpose catheter probe with a flexible design, incorporating a proximal hub, a channel member, and a distal end with electrodes, allowing for fluid injection, electrical stimulation, impedance measurement, and temperature monitoring, enabling steerable access to various body regions and providing multiple therapeutic functions in a single device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional catheters and probes are used, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility and ability to access difficult regions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to difficult regionsVSAvoidcatheter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter probe integrates multiple functions including fluid injection through injection ports, electrical stimulation and impedance measurement through electrodes, and temperature monitoring through thermocouples within a single device. This multi-functional design enables the catheter to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures without requiring multiple separate devices, thereby improving adaptability to difficult regions while managing device complexity through integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional catheters and probes are used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the functionality is limited to one or two functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple therapeutic and diagnostic functions into a single catheter probe structure. The channel member integrates fluid injection capability with electrical stimulation electrodes and temperature sensing elements along its length. This combining of functions that would traditionally require separate devices enables comprehensive pain management treatment while the modular construction with hub, channel member, and integrated components maintains reasonable ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional catheters and probes are used, then the device size is larger, but the ability to reach target areas is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereachability of target areasVSAvoidcatheter probe size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter probe employs a flexible channel member with a thin-walled construction that allows it to navigate through tortuous anatomical pathways and reach distant target areas within the epidural, spinal, or paravertebral spaces. The flexible material enables the catheter to conform to body contours and access regions that would be inaccessible to rigid or bulky devices, while the streamlined design minimizes the overall volume of the moving object

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

The catheter probe provides enhanced accessibility and therapeutic capabilities, allowing for effective treatment of chronic neurogenic pain by enabling fluid injection, electrical stimulation, impedance measurement, and temperature monitoring in previously difficult-to-reach areas, improving treatment efficacy and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a thermocouple probe positioned within the channel member to detect temperature at the catheter distal end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermocouple effect: Seebeck Effect

Implementation Method 2

a probe, inserted in combination with or sequential to the catheter, can be used to apply continuous or pulsed radiofrequency (RF) energy as a therapeutic modality

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

at least one electrode connected to the at least one wire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

the channel member being adapted to provide a housing for a portion of the catheter body and a conductive pathway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9402560B2Advanced multi-purpose catheter probes for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

Publication Date: 2016.08.02 DIROS TECH

AI summary

Various embodiments are described herein that generally relate to catheter probes for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. The catheter probes described herein generally comprise a proximal hub comprising a hub housing and at least one wire, a catheter body connected to the proximal hub, the catheter body comprising a channel member and an insulator, the channel member being adapted to provide a housing for a portion of the catheter body and a conductive pathway, and the insulator being adapted to cover at least a portion of the channel member; and a catheter distal end comprising at least one electrode connected to the at least one wire.