Coronary Catheter Curved Distal End for Arm Artery Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheters for coronary arteries are not optimized for rapid and easy introduction, often requiring uncomfortable patient positions and risking bleeding and urinary tract infections due to femoral insertion, and do not consider the anatomical relationship between the aorta and coronary arteries, making them less efficient.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with a distal end designed for arm artery insertion, featuring a curved portion with a first and second curve and an extreme distal end portion that can be rotated to engage either the left or right coronary artery opening, allowing for easier and safer access by minimizing contact length with the aorta and facilitating smooth rotation along the aorta wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a catheter is introduced from a femoral artery, then the catheter can reach the coronary artery, but the patient requires complete bed rest which causes discomfort and increases risk of bleeding and urinary tract infections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by introducing the catheter from the brachial artery (arm) instead of the femoral artery (leg). This reversal of the introduction route allows the patient to maintain mobility and avoid complete bed rest, thereby improving patient comfort while still achieving reliable catheter engagement with the coronary artery.
2Ease of operation
If conventional catheter shapes are used for arm artery introduction, then the catheter can be introduced from the arm, but the catheter cannot efficiently engage with the coronary artery openings due to not considering the anatomical relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the distal end portion of the catheter with specific curvature characteristics that differ from the proximal portions. The curved portion includes a first curve and second curve with specific radius ratios that are optimized for the anatomical relationship between the brachial artery and coronary artery openings, enabling reliable engagement while maintaining ease of introduction from the arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes curvature by incorporating a curved portion with specific geometric characteristics (first curve and second curve with defined radius ratios) that match the anatomical path from the brachial artery to the coronary artery openings. This curvature design enables the catheter to naturally follow the blood vessel anatomy and engage with the coronary artery openings efficiently.
3Productivity
If the catheter distal end is designed for rapid introduction, then the introduction time is reduced, but the catheter may not maintain stable engagement with the coronary artery opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the distal end portion with specific curvature characteristics before introduction. The curved portion with its defined first and second curves is prepared in advance to match the anatomical path, allowing the catheter to be rapidly introduced while automatically achieving stable engagement with the coronary artery opening without requiring complex adjustments during the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter for a coronary artery can include a distal end for being introduced into an opening of a coronary artery from an artery of an arm. The catheter can, include a catheter main body including a main body portion having a substantially linear shape in a natural state and a curved portion forming a portion extending from the main body portion to the distal end and having a curved shape in a natural state. The curved portion can include a first curve extending in a curved state from the main body portion, an intermediate portion extending from the first curve, a second curve extending from the intermediate portion and curved in a direction same as that of the first curve, and an extreme distal end portion of a substantially linear shape extending from the second curve. A method of using the catheter is also disclosed.