Extended Catheter Segmentation for Curved Vessel Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extended catheters lack sufficient pushing force to effectively reach designated positions in curved and narrow branch blood vessels, and current systems struggle to safely and completely remove emboli from small blood vessels due to bending issues and risk of vessel damage.
Innovation Solution
An extended catheter system featuring a catheter body with a pushing reinforcement wire and positioning balloon, which enhances axial stability and pushing force, and includes a thrombus fragmenting device for safe aspiration of clots, allowing for effective navigation and treatment in small blood vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an extended catheter is used to obtain additional back support, then the pushing force is improved, but the catheter cannot effectively reach the designated location in curved and narrow branch blood vessels due to insufficient pushing force
Solution Approach 1:
The extended catheter is divided into multiple segments: a guiding catheter, an extended catheter body, and a thrombus fragmenting device. Each segment can be independently positioned and controlled, allowing the catheter to navigate curved and narrow branch blood vessels while maintaining sufficient pushing force through the coordinated action of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended catheter body is inserted into the guiding catheter, creating a nested structure. The thrombus fragmenting device is then inserted into the extended catheter body. This nested arrangement allows the catheter system to achieve sufficient pushing force while maintaining flexibility to reach designated locations in curved and narrow branch blood vessels.
2Strength
If an extended catheter is placed in the lumen of the guiding catheter, then additional support is obtained, but a gap forms between the extended catheter and the guiding catheter lumen causing the extended catheter to slip or dislodge
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning balloon is introduced as an intermediary element between the extended catheter body and the guiding catheter. The positioning balloon expands to fill the gap and create a secure seal, preventing the extended catheter from slipping or dislodging while maintaining the structural support needed for stable positioning.
3Productivity
If mechanical removal is used for embolic substances, then clot removal is achieved, but complete removal is difficult and vessel damage occurs due to metal structure of fragmenting devices
Solution Approach 1:
The thrombus fragmenting device uses a balloon structure that can be inflated to a controlled pressure to fragment the thrombus. This parameter-controlled approach allows for complete clot removal while minimizing vessel damage by avoiding the use of rigid metal structures that cause mechanical trauma to the blood vessel wall.
Data Source
AI summary
An extended catheter includes a catheter body, a pushing reinforcement wire, a pushing rod, and a positioning balloon. The catheter body is provided with a delivery channel, and a proximal end of the catheter body is provided with an inlet connected to the delivery channel. The pushing reinforcement wire is arranged on a side wall of the catheter body along an axial direction of the catheter body. A distal end of the pushing rod is connected to the proximal end of the catheter body, and an interior of the pushing rod is provided with a filling channel. The positioning balloon is sleeved on the catheter body, and an inner cavity of the positioning balloon is connected to the filling channel. Problem of existing catheters unable to effectively reach the designated position in curved and narrow branch blood vessels for treatment is solved.