Catheter Tether-Cutting Blade for Reliable Single-Cut Severance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting medical tethers at a target site are unreliable, often fail to fully cut the tether, or prematurely cut it before positioning, and may result in loose pieces due to multiple cuts.

Innovation Solution

A tether-cutting device comprising a catheter, inner shaft, and cutting blade, where the cutting blade is coaxially arranged within the catheter lumen and can be rotated and translated to ensure a single, complete cut, with a proximal handle for actuation and safety mechanisms to prevent premature cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current cutting devices are used to cut tethers, then the cutting process can be performed, but the cutting is unreliable and may fail to fully cut the tether or cut it prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting reliabilityVSAvoidcut position precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary positioning actions before cutting. The catheter is advanced to the target site first, then the cutting blade is actuated only after proper positioning is confirmed, preventing premature cutting while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces simple mechanical cutting with a controlled actuation mechanism that combines rotational and translational movements of the cutting blade, enabling precise control over when and where cutting occurs, thereby improving both reliability and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple cuts are made on the tether, then the tether can be fully severed, but loose pieces are formed requiring additional retrieval steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecut completenessVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting action is segmented into a single controlled motion rather than multiple separate cuts. The actuation mechanism enables one continuous cutting motion that completely severs the tether, eliminating loose pieces and avoiding additional retrieval steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade performs continuous cutting action in a single motion rather than intermittent or multiple separate cuts. This continuous action ensures complete tether severance without creating loose pieces, streamlining the entire procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the cutting blade is always exposed, then cutting can be performed quickly, but the tether may be cut prematurely before positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting speedVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is nested within the catheter structure, with the blade positioned inside the catheter lumen. The blade can be actuated to extend from the catheter only when needed for cutting, maintaining positioning accuracy while enabling quick cutting when the catheter is properly positioned

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade transitions from a static retracted position to a dynamic extended position only when cutting is required. This dynamic actuation allows the system to maintain positioning accuracy during advancement while enabling rapid cutting operation when properly positioned

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates reliable and efficient cutting of tethers by applying a shearing force, ensuring a single cut and reducing the risk of loose pieces, while allowing for precise control and safety during the cutting process.

Implementation Method 1

facilitates reliable and efficient cutting of tethers by applying a shearing force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShearing force: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS12446872B2Devices and methods for tether cutting

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 ANCORA HEART INC

AI summary

Devices and methods for cutting a tether are described herein. Devices described herein generally comprise a proximal handle, a catheter, and an inner shaft and a cutting blade disposed within the lumen of the catheter, where the cutting blade is movably disposed over the inner shaft. The proximal handle comprises an actuation mechanism to control the movement of the components of the device. Methods described herein generally comprise advancing a tether-cutting device over a tether, loading the tether through the catheter and inner shaft, applying tension to the tether, and rotating and distally translating a cutting blade in order to cut the tether.