Compound Curve Navigation Catheter Deflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation catheters with curved distal ends face challenges in maintaining accurate positioning of surgical instruments due to deflection issues when instruments are extended or inserted, which affects target tissue sampling and treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A compound curve navigation catheter with a flexible design featuring an elbow bend and a radially curved portion, allowing for precise deflection and improved access within luminal structures, combined with varying durometer ratings for enhanced flexibility and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a curved distal end is used in existing navigation catheters, then the catheter can navigate luminal structures, but the curved distal end deflects when surgical instruments are extended, making it difficult to maintain accurate positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The distal portion of the catheter is segmented into multiple functional zones with different curvature characteristics: a first curved portion and a second curved portion with different radii of curvature. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function - the first portion navigates the luminal structure while the second portion maintains stable positioning for instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the distal end are given different local qualities through varying radii of curvature. The first curved portion has a larger radius for flexibility and navigation, while the second curved portion has a smaller radius for stability and precision instrument positioning, eliminating the deflection problem of uniform curved designs.
2Ease of operation
If the distal portion is made more flexible to navigate luminal structures, then navigation is easier, but the distal end deflects more when instruments are inserted
Solution Approach 1:
The distal portion is divided into segments with different curvature radii. The first curved portion with larger radius provides flexibility for navigation, while the second curved portion with smaller radius provides stability resistance to deflection when instruments are inserted, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter distal end has non-uniform curvature distribution where different sections have different local flexibility characteristics. The first portion is more flexible for navigation through luminal structures, while the second portion is less flexible to maintain compositional stability during instrument insertion.
3Device complexity
If a simple curved design is used, then the catheter structure is simpler, but it cannot maintain tissue trajectory and instrument placement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end is segmented into multiple curved portions with different radii of curvature, creating a compound curve design. This segmented approach achieves precise tissue trajectory maintenance and instrument placement accuracy while keeping the overall catheter structure relatively simple and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs a compound curve design with multiple curved portions having different radii of curvature. This curvature-based design enables precise control over tissue trajectory and instrument placement accuracy without requiring complex mechanical structures, maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter assembly for navigation including a flexible catheter having a proximal portion adjacent a proximal end and a distal portion adjacent a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the flexible catheter defining a lumen extending therethrough along a longitudinal axis and configured to enable translation of an instrument from the proximal end to the distal end. The flexible catheter defines a compound curve formed on the distal portion, wherein the compound curve includes an elbow bend and a radially curved portion. The elbow bend deflecting the distal portion of the flexible catheter from the longitudinal axis, while the radially curved portion extends from the elbow bend farther deflecting the distal portion about a center point. The catheter guide assembly for navigation includes a control handle disposed at the proximal end of the flexible catheter and is configured to advance and rotate the flexible catheter within a luminal structure.