Detachable Catheter Coupling for Safe Tip Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microcatheters often face complications when the distal tip becomes trapped in the vasculature during embolization procedures, leading to potential breakage or the need to leave the tip inside the patient, as existing solutions do not effectively allow for safe removal without risking microcatheter breakage.
Innovation Solution
A microcatheter design featuring a detachable tip body connected via a coupling made from different materials with varying bond strengths, allowing for controlled detachment with a retraction force, minimizing the risk of breakage and enabling safe removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the microcatheter tip becomes trapped in the vasculature during embolization, then the embolization procedure can be effective, but the microcatheter cannot be safely removed without risking breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The microcatheter is divided into two separable segments: a distal tip body and a proximal tubular body, connected through a coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows the tip to be detached from the body when trapped in the vasculature, enabling safe removal of the proximal body while leaving the tip in place, thereby eliminating the risk of breakage during withdrawal.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism utilizes temperature-dependent bond strength characteristics. At body temperature (37°C), the bond between the tip and body is strong enough to maintain structural integrity during embolization. When cooled to room temperature, the bond strength decreases, allowing for controlled detachment and safe removal of the microcatheter body.
2Ease of manufacture
If the microcatheter is made as a single piece for simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but safe removal when tip is trapped is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The microcatheter is designed with a detachable coupling that connects the tip body and tubular body. This segmentation enables the device to be manufactured using standard techniques for each component separately, then assembled through the coupling mechanism, maintaining manufacturing ease while enabling safe removal capability when the tip becomes trapped.
3Ease of operation
If a detachable coupling is introduced to enable safe removal, then removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism exploits the temperature-dependent physical properties of the bond material to achieve controlled detachment. The bond strength naturally transitions from strong at body temperature to weak at room temperature, providing automatic detachment capability without requiring complex mechanical release mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling acts as an intermediary element between the tip body and tubular body, providing a controlled interface for detachment. This intermediary structure enables safe removal by allowing the tip to remain bonded during use while permitting separation when needed, adding minimal complexity compared to a fully integrated single-piece design.
4Strength
If the bond between tip and body is strong, then structural integrity is maintained, but safe removal when trapped is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The bond between the tip and body exhibits temperature-dependent strength characteristics. At physiological temperature (37°C), the bond is strong enough to maintain structural integrity during embolization procedures. When the device is cooled to room temperature after implantation, the bond strength decreases, enabling safe detachment and removal of the proximal body while leaving the tip in place, thus resolving the contradiction between strong bonding and safe removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A microcatheter comprising an elongate flexible tubular body, a tip body and a coupling is disclosed. The elongate flexible tubular body has a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending axially therethrough. The tip body has a proximal end and a distal end and a lumen extending axially therethrough. The coupling covers a portion of both the tubular body and tip body and is made from a first material and a second material, where the first material is different from the second material. The first material is compatible with an outermost layer of the tubular body and an outermost layer of the tip body, and the second material is configured to form a detachable bond with at least one of the tubular body and the tip body.