Deflectable Guide Catheter with Helical Spring and Pull Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deflectable guide catheters for transnasal procedures have fixed distal curves that cannot be changed once inserted, limiting their adaptability and effectiveness in accessing various sinus ostia and other anatomical locations within the ear, nose, throat, or cranium.
Innovation Solution
A deflectable guide catheter with a helical spring member and a pull member that allows the distal portion to change configuration from a straight to a curved shape, enabling precise positioning and access to desired locations, and can be controlled externally to adjust curvature from 0 to 110 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed distal curve is used in the guide catheter, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different anatomical locations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a deflectable distal portion that can change its curvature dynamically. A pull member extends through the catheter shaft to the exterior, allowing the operator to adjust the bend angle of the distal tip by pulling or releasing the cord. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the same catheter to adapt to different anatomical configurations without requiring multiple fixed-curve catheters.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design allows changing the curvature parameter of the distal portion from a first configuration to a second configuration. The pull member mechanism enables continuous adjustment of the bend angle, transforming the catheter from a rigid fixed-curve design to one with variable curvature parameters, thereby improving adaptability to various sinus ostia angles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a deflectable mechanism with pull member is added to change catheter configuration, then the adaptability to different locations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct functional segments: a proximal shaft portion, a deflectable distal portion, and a pull member. This segmentation allows the deflectable mechanism to be isolated to only the distal portion that needs navigation flexibility, while the proximal shaft remains simple and rigid for easy manipulation and insertion. The pull member acts as a separate control element that transmits force without adding complexity to the catheter shaft itself.
3Measurement precision
If the distal portion is made deflectable to navigate complex anatomy, then the navigation precision is improved, but the structural stability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter exhibits different mechanical properties in different sections: the proximal shaft is rigid and stable for easy handling and positional stability, while the distal portion is deflectable for precise navigation. This local differentiation of structural properties allows each section to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the overall system performance.
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 flexible and precise navigation through complex anatomical structures, facilitating the delivery of devices or substances to specific locations within the body, improving procedural efficiency and reducing trauma to the anatomy compared to fixed-shape catheters.
Implementation Method 1
a deflectable distal portion (14) adjacent to its distal end (DE)... a helical spring member (30)
Implementation Method 2
a pull member (22) extending between the substantially rigid tube (20) and the outer surface of the inner jacket (24)
Data Source
AI summary
Deflectable guide catheters and methods, including methods for using defectable guide catheters to perform transnasal procedures within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Some deflectable guide catheters of the present invention comprise a substantially rigid tube, a helical spring attached to and extending from the distal end of the substantially rigid tube, a tubular plastic inner jacket, an outer plastic jacket substantially covering at least the helical spring member. The spring member is deflectable to cause the distal portion of the guide catheter to deflect to a curved configuration. In embodiments for transnasal use the deflectable guide catheter may have a length of less than 25 cm.