Dual-Balloon Catheter Shaft Layout to Prevent Kinking
Solution Overview
Problem
Balloon catheters with multiple inflation lumens experience rigidity differences that lead to kinking when inserted into bent portions of blood vessels, compromising their effectiveness in angioplasty procedures.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter design featuring a shaft with distinct sections where inflation tubes are fixed and unfixed, along with a longer unfixed section to reduce rigidity differences, preventing kinking and enhancing flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inflation lumens are disposed in the shaft, then multiple balloons can be inflated at different timings, but the rigidity of the shaft becomes non-uniform and kinking occurs when inserted into bent portions of blood vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a transition section where the number of inflation lumens gradually changes from one to multiple. This localized modification allows the shaft to have different structural characteristics in different regions: a single lumen in the first section for flexibility, and multiple lumens in the second section for multi-balloon capability, with the transition section bridging the rigidity difference between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is segmented into three distinct sections: a first section with a single inflation lumen, a transition section where the lumen count changes, and a second section with multiple inflation lumens. This segmentation allows each section to have optimized properties for its specific function while reducing abrupt rigidity transitions that cause kinking.
2Reliability
If the shaft has high rigidity to support multiple inflation tubes, then the tubes are stable, but the catheter cannot navigate bent portions of blood vessels smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a dynamic transition section where the structural properties of the shaft gradually change from single-lumen to multi-lumen configuration. This gradual transition allows the catheter to adapt its rigidity dynamically during insertion, providing flexibility for navigating bent vessels while maintaining stability in the multi-lumen section for accurate balloon inflation.
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon catheter includes a shaft, first balloon, second balloon, first inflation tube, and second inflation tube. The first inflation tube has a lumen in communication with the lumens of the shaft and first balloon, and the second inflation tube has a lumen in communication with the lumens of the shaft and second balloon. The shaft has a first section on a distal side where the first and second inflation tubes are disposed, and a second section proximal to the first section where the first and second inflation tubes are disposed. At least two of the shaft, first inflation tube, and second inflation tube are fixed to each other in the first section. The shaft, first inflation tube, and second inflation tube are not fixed to each other in the second section. The balloon catheter is less likely to generate a kink when inserted into bent portions of blood vessels.