Deflectable Guide Catheter With Segmented Durometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guide catheters with stiffer materials improve torqueability and pushability but compromise maneuverability through tight anatomical bends, leading to buckling issues that impede instrument insertion or withdrawal.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating deformation zones with longitudinal interfaces between segments of different durometers, allowing for controlled deformation and reduced buckling, and using a pull wire mechanism for controlled deflection, enabling navigation through complex anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stiffer material or support structure is used in guide catheter, then torqueability and pushability are improved, but maneuverability through tight bends deteriorates and buckling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The guide catheter is divided into multiple sections with different durometer materials: a more rigid proximal section for torqueability and pushability, and a softer distal section for navigating tight bends. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the guide catheter have locally optimized material properties - the proximal portion uses higher durometer material for structural support and control, while the distal portion uses lower durometer material for flexibility and navigation through anatomical bends.
2Strength
If stiffer material is used in guide catheter, then torqueability is improved, but responsiveness of distal portion to proximal manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into a rigid proximal portion for torque transmission and a flexible distal portion for responsive manipulation. The interface between these segments allows torque to be transmitted while permitting the distal portion to bend and respond to anatomical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal section uses higher durometer material to maintain structural integrity and transmit torque, while the distal section uses lower durometer material to respond readily to manipulation and navigate bends, achieving both torqueability and responsiveness in different locations.
3Ease of operation
If flexible material is used in guide catheter, then maneuverability through tight bends is improved, but torqueability and pushability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The guide catheter combines a flexible distal section for navigating tight bends with a rigid proximal section for maintaining torqueability and pushability. This segmentation ensures that flexibility is provided where needed without compromising the overall structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal portion uses lower durometer material to provide flexibility for navigating anatomical bends, while the proximal portion uses higher durometer material to maintain torqueability and pushability, allowing each section to have locally optimized properties.
4Ease of manufacture
If single material configuration is used in guide catheter, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different procedures and anatomical structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide catheter is manufactured with segmented sections of different durometers, allowing it to adapt to various procedural requirements and anatomical structures while maintaining a relatively straightforward manufacturing process using modular components.
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
Enhances the guide catheter's ability to navigate tight bends without creasing, improving the passage of instruments and components, thereby improving procedural efficiency and reducing mechanical impedance.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator may comprise a bias element, such as a spring or other elastic element, that may be used to bias the pull wire toward a particular position
Implementation Method 2
A non-linear interface between the two sections of material, such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal interface, may permit controlled deformation of the lower durometer material between portions of higher durometer material. This deformation may include stretching and/or compression.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are devices and methods for guide catheters having one or more regions of increased flexibility. A flexibility region comprises one tubular segment of the guide catheter with a non-linear seam between two non-concentric layers of material having different durometers. A non-linear seam, such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal configuration, permits controlled compression of lower durometer material between portions of higher durometer material.