Coronary Sinus Catheter Handle with Shape Memory Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coronary sinus catheters face challenges with limited maneuverability, requiring two hands for control, causing operator fatigue, and instability, which affects the accuracy of electrophysiological procedures due to catheter movement during heart procedures.
Innovation Solution
A stabilized coronary sinus catheter system with a handle that allows single-hand operation, featuring a distal tip deflection actuator, memory shape portion deployment, and a shape memory alloy that locks the catheter in place using a helical shape, combined with a pull wire for precise steering and sensor anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If shape memory properties are deployed to stabilize the catheter in the coronary sinus, then catheter stability is improved, but stress on the catheter and inferior vena cava increases leading to the right atrium
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple sections with different stiffness properties: a proximal section, a medial section with intermediate stiffness, and a distal section with shape memory properties. This segmentation allows the shape memory portion to provide stabilization while the intermediate stiffness section reduces stress transmission to the right atrium.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the catheter are given different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The distal section has shape memory properties for anchoring, the medial section has intermediate stiffness for stress reduction, and the proximal section has higher stiffness for control. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stabilization and stress reduction.
2Ease of operation
If existing catheter designs are used with steerability and deflection control, then basic maneuverability is achieved, but fine movement control capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a dynamic deflection mechanism where a pull wire can be selectively tensioned to deflect the distal tip to various angles. This dynamic control system allows fine adjustment of catheter position and orientation, enabling precise maneuverability while maintaining a relatively simple overall design through the use of a single actuating wire.
3Ease of operation
If existing handle designs are used for catheter control, then basic control functions are available, but single-hand operation is difficult and operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single integrated handle assembly. The handle combines the deflection actuator, shape memory deployment mechanism, and other control functions in one ergonomically designed unit that can be operated with a single hand. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate control devices and reduces operator fatigue during procedures.
4Ease of operation
If the distal tip deflection actuator is moved to deflect the distal tip, then steering capability is improved, but the position of other components may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection function is extracted as a separate, independently controllable feature through the pull wire mechanism. Tensioning the pull wire deflects the distal tip without requiring movement of other handle components or affecting the alignment of the catheter's structural sections. This extraction allows steering to be performed independently while maintaining component stability.
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
Enables precise, stable positioning of the catheter within the coronary sinus, reducing operator fatigue and improving the accuracy of electrophysiological mapping by minimizing catheter movement, thus enhancing the reliability of cardiac procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a shape memory alloy which, when returned to a predetermined shape, forms a helical shape
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A stabilized coronary sinus catheter system having a proximal section and a distal section with a memory shape portion, and a tip, distal of the memory shape portion. A handle having a body, a tip deflection actuator, a memory shape portion deployment actuator, and an axis. The tip is in line with the axis and the tip deflection actuator is at a first position. The tip is deflected out of alignment with the axis when the tip deflection actuator is at a second position. A third position is a delivery configuration where the memory shape portion and the tip are in line with the axis. The memory shape portion deployment actuator is at a first location. A deployed configuration allows the memory shape portion to form a predetermined shape conforming to the shape of the coronary sinus when the memory shape portion deployment actuator is at a second location.