Non-Metal Catheter Tip Assembly for Secure Radiopaque Marker Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheters used for delivering medication to subarachnoid spaces face challenges in securely attaching radiopaque markers due to the lack of bonding between noble metals and polymeric adhesives, leading to potential separation during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design that incorporates a non-metallic tip bonded to the distal end using an adhesive, with a radiopaque marker inserted into the lumen before molding the tip, ensuring a stronger bond between the tip and the catheter body, reducing the likelihood of separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal marker tip is used for radiopaque visualization, then the marker provides good radiopacity, but the bonding between the metal tip and polymeric adhesive is unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the tip from metal to non-metal (polymer or elastomer), which fundamentally alters the chemical properties to enable reliable bonding with polymeric adhesives while maintaining radiopacity through embedded radiopaque particles or coatings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite tip structure combining non-metallic base material with radiopaque particles, coatings, or layers, achieving both bonding compatibility with adhesives and sufficient radiopacity for visualization
2Ease of operation
If a soft and thin catheter is used for subarachnoid delivery, then the catheter can reach target locations, but the catheter lacks structural rigidity for insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the catheter into functional segments: a distal portion with enhanced rigidity for insertion and a proximal portion maintaining flexibility for navigation, allowing each segment to optimize its mechanical properties for specific operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different mechanical properties to different parts of the catheter, with the distal tip having higher rigidity for pushability during insertion while the rest of the catheter remains soft and flexible for navigating tortuous anatomy
3Reliability
If platinum-iridium alloy is used for the marker tip, then radiopacity is achieved, but bonding to polymeric adhesive is poor due to lack of oxide formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary bonding layer or surface treatment between the tip and adhesive, such as a primer layer, chemical coupling agent, or plasma treatment, that creates chemical bridges to enable reliable bonding without requiring the tip material itself to form oxides
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition of the tip from noble metal to non-metallic polymer or elastomer, which inherently provides chemical groups that form strong bonds with polymeric adhesives, eliminating the bonding problem associated with noble metals
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 solution enhances the bond between the tip and the catheter body, preventing separation and ensuring reliable placement of the catheter during insertion, while using materials that are less traumatic to tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a radiopaque marker carried within the lumen... that may be observed through the use of a fluoroscope
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter including a tubular catheter body defining a distal portion, a distal end and a lumen that extends to the distal end, a radiopaque marker carried within the lumen, and a non-metal tip that is bonded to distal end of the catheter body.