Coiled Guide Lumen Layout for Flexible Steerable Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters face challenges in maintaining flexibility and steerability while accommodating multiple lumens for various components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a coiled guide lumen within the catheter body, composed of varying diameters and coils, which centers secondary guide lumens and pull wires, allowing for efficient component placement and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lumens are included within the catheter body to accommodate various components, then component isolation and functionality are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the coiled guide lumen inside the elongate catheter body, and potentially nesting additional components within the coiled guide lumen. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to coexist in a compact configuration, providing component isolation without requiring separate parallel lumens, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lumens are included within the catheter body to accommodate various components, then component isolation and functionality are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nested coiled guide lumen design simplifies manufacturing compared to creating multiple separate lumens within the catheter body. The coiled structure can be formed as a single continuous element that is then inserted into the catheter, reducing the number of manufacturing steps, molds, and assembly operations required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while still providing isolated pathways for multiple components
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple lumens are included within the catheter body, then component accommodation is improved, but flexibility and steerability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the coiled guide lumen within the catheter body rather than creating multiple thick-walled lumens, the catheter wall can remain thin and flexible. The coiled structure occupies minimal space and does not significantly increase the overall catheter diameter or wall thickness, thereby preserving flexibility and steerability while still providing dedicated pathways for multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The coiled guide lumen employs a curved, spiral geometry rather than a straight rigid structure. This curved configuration allows the guide lumen to flex and bend with the catheter body, maintaining flexibility and steerability. The coiled shape naturally accommodates bending forces and allows the catheter to navigate tortuous vasculature while the guide lumen remains intact and functional
Data Source
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AI summary
A device and system for providing a centered lumen within a catheter body. A coiled guide lumen (CGL) is composed of a length of wire forming a plurality of coils about the longitudinal axis of the CGL, the CGL including one or more first sections having a first diameter and one or more sections having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, and a secondary guide lumen extending through the first sections. The CGL may include at least one pull wire extending through the secondary guide lumen and attached at the distal portion of the catheter body. A band may be coupled to an interior of the catheter body distal portion, each of the pull wires being coupled to the annular band. Alternatively, the system may further include a shim coupled to the band, each of the pulls wire being coupled to the shim.