Distal Stabilizer Open-Cell Structure for Tortuous Catheter Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Treatment catheters with large outer diameters and high rigidity often cause positional deviation of the cylindrical part locked to the inner wall of a biological lumen, especially in highly tortuous vessels, leading to difficulty in delivering the catheter to the target position and reducing pushability.

Innovation Solution

A distal stabilizer with a mesh-patterned structure featuring open cell portions that protrude at angles ranging from -30° to +30° to the circumferential direction, improving the cylindrical part's pushability and reducing positional deviation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the expanding force of the cylindrical part is increased to reduce positional deviation, then positional deviation is reduced, but stress on the blood vessel wall increases and sliding resistance increases reducing pushability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional deviationVSAvoidpushability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical part employs local quality by creating open cell portions at specific locations along its length, rather than uniformly modifying the entire structure. This allows localized reduction of radial force in specific segments while maintaining anchoring capability in other regions, thereby reducing overall sliding resistance and improving pushability without completely sacrificing positional stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies parameter changes by modifying the structural configuration of the cylindrical part from a fully closed-cell structure to one with open cell portions. This structural parameter change reduces the radial expanding force exerted by the cylindrical part on the blood vessel wall, thereby reducing sliding resistance and improving pushability while maintaining sufficient anchoring through the remaining closed-cell portions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the treatment catheter is advanced through highly tortuous vessels, then the treatment can reach the target position, but the catheter pulls the microcatheter and cylindrical part toward the proximal side causing positional deviation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to navigate tortuous vesselsVSAvoidpositional deviation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical part exhibits dynamic characteristics through its open cell structure, which allows it to flex and conform to the tortuous geometry of the blood vessel. This dynamic adaptability enables the cylindrical part to maintain its anchored position even when the treatment catheter is pushed through highly tortuous vessels, preventing proximal migration while still allowing the catheter to navigate complex vascular paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the cylindrical part is designed with closed-cell structure for anchoring, then anchoring force is maintained, but pushability and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring forceVSAvoidpushability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical part is segmented into multiple cell portions along its length, with some cells being open and others closed. This segmentation allows different sections to perform different functions: closed-cell sections provide anchoring force while open-cell sections reduce sliding resistance and improve pushability. The segmented structure thus simultaneously achieves both anchoring strength and ease of advancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4670772A1Distal stabilizer
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 BOLT MEDICAL INC
  • EP4670772A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4670772A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4670772A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A distal stabilizer 1 for use in catheter delivery in a living body lumen is provided with: a linear delivery member; and a cylindrical part 2 connected to the linear delivery member and locked to the inner wall of the living body lumen. The cylindrical part 2 includes a body part 11 having a mesh pattern structure in which cells 20 having a shape surrounded by wire members are arranged along at least the major axis direction. At least one of the cells 20 forming the body part 11 has at least one open cell part 21 in which two wire members are connected at the top part 25. In at least one of the open cell parts 21, in a reduced diameter state, the two wire members extend along the major axis direction, and, in a natural state, the top part 25 protrudes along the circumferential direction orthogonal to the major axis direction.