Expandable Incising Catheter With Integrated Embolic Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intravascular catheters lack an expandable portion that can be selectively controlled to create incisions in atherosclerotic material during angioplasty procedures, and embolic protection devices are cumbersome and difficult to manage, requiring multiple devices for different treatment sites and patient anatomies.

Innovation Solution

An intravascular catheter with an expandable portion featuring struts with incising elements and an optional embolic protection device, allowing controlled incisions in atherosclerotic material and capturing emboli during treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an expandable portion with incising elements is added to the catheter, then the ability to create incisions in atherosclerotic material is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to create incisions in atherosclerotic materialVSAvoidcatheter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the incising function and embolic protection function into a single integrated catheter device. The expandable portion incorporates both incising elements on its struts and an embolic protection filter, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall procedural complexity despite adding functional capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides incising elements for cutting atherosclerotic material, structural support for vessel dilation, and integration point for embolic protection filter. This multi-functionality addresses multiple treatment needs with a single device component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If embolic protection devices are used during angioplasty, then protection against emboli is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome placement and management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolic protection effectivenessVSAvoiddevice placement and management ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The embolic protection filter is integrated directly into the expandable portion of the catheter, allowing simultaneous deployment of both the incising/structural components and the embolic protection filter. This eliminates separate placement procedures and reduces the number of devices the operator must manage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter device performs multiple functions in one instrument: angioplasty, incising of atherosclerotic material, and embolic protection. This multi-functional design simplifies the procedural workflow compared to using separate specialized devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple embolic protection devices are kept in inventory for different treatment sites and patient anatomies, then adaptability to different conditions is improved, but the device complexity and inventory management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different treatment sites and patient anatomiesVSAvoidinventory management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable portion is designed with adjustable diameter capabilities that allow it to adapt to different vessel sizes and treatment sites. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices with different fixed dimensions, simplifying inventory requirements while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable portion can dynamically change its diameter between a first diameter in the closed position and a second diameter in the opened position. This dynamic adaptability allows a single device to accommodate various vessel sizes and anatomical configurations without requiring multiple fixed-size devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the expandable portion is designed with multiple struts and incising elements, then the manufacturing precision requirements increase, but the ability to create controlled incisions is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled incision capabilityVSAvoidstrut and incising element precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable portion is divided into multiple struts that can be independently positioned and controlled. Each strut can carry incising elements, allowing the incision pattern to be segmented and controlled across multiple discrete points around the vessel circumference, improving precision through distributed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12408942B2Intravascular catheter having an expandable incising portion and embolic protection device

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 VENTUREMED GROUP INC

AI summary

An intravascular device and methods for using the same are provided. The intravascular device includes an expandable portion with struts operable between a first position and a second position where the struts are moved outward from the first position. An incising element is provided at, and extends outward from, at least one of the struts. An embolic protection device covers at least a portion of the expandable portion.