Flexible Catheter With Internal Tether for Stretch Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter constructions face issues with unintended stretching during use, leading to manufacturing complexities, reduced flexibility, and the need for additional structures that can cause discomfort or inadequate therapy application, while also requiring complex visualization methods like fluoroscopy for status detection.

Innovation Solution

A catheter device with a flexible tubular member and a non-elastic tether within its channel to minimize elongation, combined with a stiffening sleeve and a connector system for procedural tools, allowing visual and tactile status indication without ionizing radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If catheters use soft and flexible materials for comfort and flexibility, then patient comfort and navigability are improved, but the catheter becomes subject to unintended stretching during use

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidelongation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter combines soft flexible materials (silicone rubber, thermoplastic elastomers) for the tubular member with a non-elastic continuous structure (tether made from polyester, nylon, or other non-elastic materials) to create a composite construction that provides both flexibility and elongation resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If catheters use in-wall constructions (braiding, reflow of polymers, encapsulated wires) to reduce elongation, then elongation resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelongation resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the elongation resistance function from the catheter wall structure and implements it as a separate internal tether component, simplifying manufacturing compared to integrated in-wall constructions while achieving the same functional outcome

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If catheters use in-wall constructions to reduce elongation, then elongation resistance is improved, but the flexibility and bendability of the catheter are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelongation resistanceVSAvoidbendability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tether is positioned within the catheter channel rather than being integrated into the wall structure, allowing the catheter walls to maintain their full flexibility while the internal tether provides localized elongation resistance only when necessary during pullback or engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If physicians use fluoroscopy or endoscopic visualization to discern catheter status, then visualization capability is improved, but patient exposure to ionizing radiation increases and procedural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization capabilityVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates visual indicators (colored bands, flags, or other visible markers) that change appearance or position to indicate the activated or deactivated state of the therapeutic balloon, allowing physicians to visualize catheter status without radiation exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter provides its own status indication through external visual markers that automatically reflect the internal state of the therapeutic components, eliminating the need for external imaging devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The device provides improved navigation and resistance to elongation, reduces manufacturing complexity, lowers costs, enhances patient safety, and eliminates the need for radiation-based visualization, simplifying procedures and reducing facility requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an elongated non-elastic tether situated within the channel of the tubular member and secured at one end to the distal end of the member, such that when the tether is held in tension, the tether acts to minimize the tubular member from deviating from a neutral state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12453838B2Catheter device system and method of use

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 LUCID DIAGNOSTICS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a catheter construction and method of use suitable for use in navigating within a body lumen or vessel, such as a vein, artery, nasal cavity, esophagus, etc. to assist in the performance of various procedures. The device can include a flexible tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and channel extending substantially between the proximal end and the distal end, a stiffening sleeve positioned at the distal end of the tubular member to provide stiffness thereto so that a removable procedural tool can be attached to the tubular member, and an elongated non-elastic tether situated within the channel of the tubular member and secured at one end to the distal end of the member, such that when the tether is held in tension, the tether acts to minimize the tubular member from deviating from a neutral state.