Catheter Assembly Rigidity Alignment for Operability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The operability of integral structure type catheter assemblies is hindered due to rapid changes in rigidity from the distal to the proximal side when a guide wire with a rigidity changing portion is used, leading to discomfort in usability for operators.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a catheter hub and guide wire hub connected in a state where the guide wire and catheter rigidity changing points are aligned in the axial direction, allowing the catheter's rigidity to change in accordance with the guide wire's rigidity, thereby setting a desired rigidity pattern for the entire assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a guide wire with a rigidity changing portion is used in an integral structure type catheter assembly, then the guide wire flexibility is improved, but the catheter assembly operability deteriorates due to rapid rigidity changes from distal to proximal side
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with a rigidity changing portion that has different rigidity characteristics at different locations. Specifically, the rigidity changes gradually from the distal end toward the proximal end, matching the rigidity profile of the guide wire. This local variation in rigidity allows the catheter to be flexible where needed (distal end) while maintaining sufficient stiffness for operation (proximal end), resolving the contradiction between guide wire flexibility and catheter operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the rigidity parameter of the catheter along its length by varying the diameter of the core wire in the rigidity changing portion. The core wire diameter decreases from the proximal side toward the distal side, creating a gradual rigidity transition. This parameter change enables the catheter to adapt its mechanical properties to match the guide wire, improving overall assembly operability while maintaining guide wire flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the catheter rigidity is relatively large, then the catheter structural stability is improved, but the rigidity changes rapidly from distal to proximal side causing discomfort in usability
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a rigidity changing portion with spatially varying rigidity characteristics. The proximal portion maintains higher rigidity for structural stability and operator control, while the distal portion has lower rigidity for smooth navigation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both structural stability and usability comfort in different regions of the same catheter.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter's rigidity is made dynamic rather than uniform, with a gradual transition from high rigidity at the proximal end to low rigidity at the distal end. This dynamic rigidity profile allows the catheter to exhibit different mechanical behaviors in different segments, providing structural stability where needed while ensuring comfort and ease of operation in the distal region, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and usability.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A catheter assembly 100 has a catheter 60, a catheter hub 110, a guide wire 10, and a guide wire hub 120. The guide wire 10 has a guide wire rigidity changing portion 35 that gradually decreases in rigidity from a proximal side toward a distal side, and the catheter 60 has a catheter rigidity changing portion 85 that gradually decreases in rigidity from a proximal side toward a distal side. In the catheter assembly 100, the catheter hub 110 and the guide wire hub 120 are connected to each other in a state where the distal side of the guide wire 10 is exposed from a distal end of a lumen 71 of a shaft portion 70 and a guide wire rigidity changing point 37 and a catheter rigidity changing point 87 are aligned with each other in an axial direction.