Dual Catheter Axial Rotational Locking Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Dual catheter systems require two hands to maintain the position of the inside catheter relative to the outside catheter, limiting the user's ability to perform other tasks during procedures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an intermediate hub with a deformable component that restricts the rotational and axial movement of the inside catheter relative to the outside catheter, allowing the inside catheter to be temporarily fixed, enabling single-handed manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the inside catheter is manually positioned and held relative to the outside catheter, then the catheter orientation can be adjusted, but two hands are required to maintain the position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter positioningVSAvoidmanual manipulation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediate hub is introduced between the inner and outer catheters to facilitate locking. The intermediate hub includes a deformable component that can be compressed to lock the inner catheter to the outer catheter, eliminating the need for two-handed manual manipulation while maintaining positioning capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable component changes its physical state from uncompressed (allowing movement) to compressed (locking position). This parameter change enables the system to transition between manual positioning mode and locked position mode, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If two hands are used to maintain catheter position, then the catheter orientation is stable, but the user cannot perform other tasks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter position stabilityVSAvoiduser task capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate hub with deformable component serves as a mediator that transfers the locking function from manual two-handed manipulation to a mechanical system. Once compressed, it maintains catheter position stability without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby freeing the user to perform other tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable component provides self-locking capability through its elastic deformation. Once compressed to the locking position, the system maintains stability autonomously without requiring continuous manual effort, enabling the user to perform additional tasks while maintaining catheter position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the inner catheter is freely movable within the outer catheter, then manipulation is easy, but the orientation cannot be maintained without continuous manual input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter manipulationVSAvoidcontinuous manual maintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically transitions between two states: a movable state where the inner catheter can be freely manipulated, and a locked state where the orientation is maintained automatically. The deformable component enables this dynamic transition, allowing easy initial manipulation followed by automatic position maintenance without continuous manual input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 the inside catheter to be locked in a desired orientation relative to the outside catheter, facilitating single-handed operation and improving user convenience during procedures such as lead delivery and physiologic pacing.

Implementation Method 1

The deformable component may be adapted to be inserted into the outer catheter hub such that the inner catheter is restricted, rotationally about and axially along the longitudinal axis, relative to the outer catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20220323719A1Axial and rotational locking of dual catheter systems

Publication Date: 2022.10.13 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

A device for axial and rotational locking of a dual catheter system and methods of the same. The system includes an outer catheter and an inner catheter adapted to be inserted into the outer catheter. The outer catheter extends along a catheter axis and includes an outer catheter shaft and an outer catheter hub. The inner catheter includes an inner catheter shaft and an inner catheter hub. The system also includes an intermediate hub located between the inner and outer catheters. The intermediate hub includes a deformable component positioned around at least a portion of the inner catheter. The deformable component is adapted to be inserted into the outer catheter hub such that the inner catheter is restricted, rotationally about and axially along the catheter axis, relative to the outer catheter.