Catheter Rotating Portion Navigates Tortuous Vasculature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheters face challenges in navigating tortuous vasculature due to resistance issues during rotation, which can lead to undesirable force applications and difficult access to certain vascular areas, such as the right atrium and pulmonary artery.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring a proximal and distal portion connected by a rotating portion with a snap-fit mechanism, allowing the distal portion to freely rotate about an axis defined by the rotating portion, facilitating navigation through tortuous paths and self-orientation to reduce strain energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the catheter is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then the catheter can support delivery systems, but the catheter cannot navigate tortuous vasculature without causing trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments including a proximal portion, a rotating portion with first and second pieces, and a distal portion. This segmentation allows the distal portion to rotate independently relative to the proximal portion, enabling navigation through tortuous vasculature while maintaining overall structural integrity of each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates a rotating portion that allows dynamic movement between the proximal and distal portions. The rotating portion includes a first piece and a second piece that can rotate relative to each other, providing adaptability to navigate complex vascular paths while maintaining structural support capabilities
2Productivity
If force is applied to advance the catheter through resistant vasculature, then the catheter can reach difficult destinations, but the force may cause trauma at the location of force application
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating portion enables the catheter to dynamically adapt to vascular resistance by allowing the distal portion to rotate freely relative to the proximal portion. This reduces the force needed to advance the catheter through tortuous paths, thereby minimizing trauma to the vasculature while still enabling access to difficult destinations
3Stability of the object's composition
If the catheter has high resistance to rotation, then the catheter maintains stability, but the catheter cannot navigate tortuous paths effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into a proximal portion, a rotating portion with first and second pieces, and a distal portion. The rotating portion specifically allows rotation between the first and second pieces while the rest of the catheter maintains stability, achieving both rotational capability and overall stability
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating capability is localized to the rotating portion of the catheter, which includes the first piece and second piece. This localized rotation allows the catheter to navigate tortuous paths while the proximal and distal portions maintain their structural stability and composition
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including an arcuate portion. The catheter further includes a rotating portion, the rotating portion connecting the proximal portion and distal portion, the rotating portion including a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece and second piece create a snap fit. Methods of using the catheter include threading the inserted catheter through the vasculature and allowing the distal portion to freely rotate about an axis defined by the rotating portion responsive to any tortuosity in the vasculature.