Rapid Exchange Catheter Strain Relief Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aspiration catheters often suffer from the guidewire tearing the guidewire shaft when a transverse force is applied to separate the guidewire from the catheter, which can lead to damage and complications during vascular procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detachable strain relief segment at the proximal end of the guidewire tube, which redirects forces to peel the guidewire tube away from the aspiration tube rather than causing it to tear, thereby enhancing the catheter's resistance to wall tearing and allowing for safe separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guidewire tube is securely attached to the aspiration tube, then the catheter structure is stable during use, but the guidewire can tear the guidewire shaft when transverse force is applied to separate them
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire tube is divided into a distally secured portion and a proximally detached strain relief segment. This segmentation allows the distal portion to remain stably attached during use while the proximal portion can detach to prevent guidewire shaft tearing when transverse separation forces are applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain relief segment acts as an intermediary element between the guidewire tube and aspiration tube. It absorbs and redirects transverse separation forces through peeling motion, preventing these forces from being transmitted to the guidewire shaft and causing tears.
2Strength
If the guidewire tube is minimally attached to the aspiration tube, then the guidewire shaft is protected from tearing, but the catheter structure becomes less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire tube is segmented into two functional zones: a distally secured portion that provides structural stability during use, and a proximally detached strain relief segment that prevents guidewire shaft tearing. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both stability and protection in different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different attachment characteristics are applied to different portions of the guidewire tube. The distal portion has strong attachment for stability, while the proximal portion has minimal or no attachment to provide strain relief. This local differentiation of attachment quality resolves the contradiction between stability and tear resistance.
3Strength
If a detachable strain relief segment is incorporated, then the guidewire shaft is protected from tearing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire tube is segmented into secured and detached portions, creating a strain relief mechanism. While this adds structural complexity, the segmentation uses simple geometric divisions rather than complex mechanical components, moderately increasing device complexity while achieving tear protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The strain relief segment transitions from an attached state during use to a detached state during separation. This dynamic behavior adds functional complexity but uses simple peeling motion rather than complex mechanical mechanisms, moderately increasing device complexity while providing guidewire protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rapid exchange-type catheter (320) for aspiration of embolic debris from a blood vessel includes an elongate aspiration tube (331) and a relatively short guidewire tube (351) mounted beside a distalmost portion of the aspiration tube. A proximal portion of the guidewire tube defines a strain relief segment (352). In one embodiment, the strain relief segment is formed detached from the aspiration tube. In another embodiment, the strain relief segment is minimally attached to the aspiration tube and becomes detached from the aspiration tube when a sufficient transverse force is applied to urge the guidewire tube away from the aspiration tube.