Gradient Polymeric Catheter Tubing for Torque and Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheter designs face challenges in navigating tortuous anatomy due to abrupt transitions in structural characteristics, leading to poor torque control, instability, and navigability issues, as they compromise between mechanical properties such as stiffness and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The catheters are designed with customizable polymeric tubing that allows for gradual or customized transition sections, incorporating multiple material sections with varying structural properties along the axial length, enabling optimized performance for different anatomical regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional catheters use abrupt transitions between polymer sections with different durometers, then manufacturing is simplified, but torque control and navigability deteriorate due to discontinuities in structural characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from abrupt durometer changes to gradual durometer transitions. The catheter incorporates a proximal section with a first durometer, a distal section with a second durometer, and a transition section where the durometer gradually changes between the proximal and distal values. This gradual parameter change eliminates discontinuities in structural characteristics, improving torque control and navigability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through controlled gradient formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a transition section with non-uniform durometer distribution. Instead of uniform abrupt changes, the transition section has a spatially varying durometer profile that gradually transitions from the proximal value to the distal value. This local variation in material property allows the catheter to have different structural characteristics in different regions, optimizing both torque control in the proximal region and flexibility in the distal region while maintaining overall reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If catheters use varying durometer polymers in different sections, then flexibility and stiffness are optimized for different anatomical regions, but abrupt transitions cause discontinuities in bending stress and torque transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing gradual parameter changes in the durometer profile along the catheter length. The transition section features a continuous gradient in durometer value, eliminating abrupt discontinuities in structural characteristics. This gradual transition ensures continuous stress distribution and smooth torque transmission while maintaining the optimized flexibility-stiffness profile needed for navigating different anatomical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymers with different durometer values in a structured gradient configuration. The transition section comprises a composite structure where polymer composition or cross-linking density varies spatially to create a continuous durometer gradient. This composite approach allows the catheter to exhibit both stiff and flexible characteristics in different regions while maintaining continuity of structural properties through the transition zone.
3Reliability
If catheters are designed with multiple polymer sections, then performance in tortuous anatomy is improved, but the complexity of the catheter construction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the catheter into distinct functional sections: a proximal section with a first durometer, a distal section with a second durometer, and a transition section with a gradient durometer profile. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function (torque transmission, navigation, flexibility) while maintaining overall system reliability. The segmented design with controlled transitions reduces complexity compared to multi-component assemblies by integrating the gradient transition within a unified construction approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Polymeric tubing, for use with catheters or other medical devices, where the polymeric tubing can have regions of customized properties including, but not limited to, durometer, torque control, flexibility, axial strength, stiffness, etc. One variation of the device allows for transitions between regions to be configured such that there can be gradual or customized transitions between various regions such that the structural characteristics differential between the regions selectively designed. Additional variations include outer layers having a plurality of material sections extending in a spiral direction along the axial length to form a continuous wall of the outer layer. In certain variations, the structural characteristic differential is minimized or eliminated as compared to conventional catheters.