Guide Element Track for Catheter Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for advancing multiple catheters to a target body tissue in minimally invasive procedures are time-consuming and prone to errors due to the need for multiple tools and complex visualization, especially in procedures like mitral valve repair.
Innovation Solution
A system for successively advancing a plurality of catheters over a guide element attached to body tissue, where the guide element can be used to deploy anchors that self-expand and secure into the tissue, allowing for efficient delivery of multiple anchors and reduced procedure time by using a single guide element as a track for multiple catheters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple catheters are advanced to a target body tissue using current methods, then the procedure can be completed, but the procedure time is prolonged and errors are more likely due to the need for multiple tools and complex visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves multiple functions: it acts as a track for advancing multiple catheters, provides visualization through its radiopaque properties, and remains as an implanted structure to maintain anchor positions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate tools and continuous external visualization, thereby reducing procedure time while improving placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates the advancement of multiple catheters to the target site. By providing a stable track and radiopaque visualization, it mediates between the operator and the target tissue, enabling accurate anchor placement without requiring continuous complex external visualization.
2Productivity
If multiple catheters are advanced using current methods, then the procedure can be completed, but the complexity of visualization and tool management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves as a universal track for advancing multiple catheters, eliminating the need for separate delivery systems for each catheter. This reduces device complexity while improving productivity by enabling efficient delivery of multiple anchors through a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple catheter delivery functions into a single guide element that can accommodate multiple catheters simultaneously. This merging of functions reduces the overall complexity of the delivery system while improving efficiency in delivering multiple anchors to the target site.
3Loss of time
If rapid-exchange catheters are used, then procedure time is reduced and catheter exchange is easier, but the catheters must be removed from the guidewire after use
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves as a permanent track that eliminates the need for catheter removal and exchange. Multiple catheters can be advanced over the same guide element sequentially, combining the time-saving benefits of rapid-exchange techniques with the simplicity of avoiding catheter removal, thereby improving ease of operation.
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
This approach reduces procedure time, minimizes the likelihood of anchor placement errors, and enables efficient mitral valve repair by allowing multiple catheters and anchors to be delivered without the need for continuous visualization, with the guide element potentially being left as an implant.
Implementation Method 1
a guide element to which at least one anchor is attached. The methods generally comprise successively advancing a plurality of catheters over the guide element to a target body tissue
Implementation Method 2
deploying at least one implant from one of the catheters... deploying at least one anchor from the delivery catheter, wherein the at least one anchor is attached to the guide element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B~3E
AI summary
Methods and devices for successively advancing a plurality of catheters over a guide element to a body tissue are described. In some of the methods, the guide element may be attached to the body tissue, which may be accessible minimally invasively. In certain variations, the guide element may not be detached from the body tissue after the catheters have been advanced over the guide element. The methods may further comprise deploying at least one implant from at least one of the plurality of catheters. In some variations, a method may comprise advancing a first delivery catheter to a first region of a body tissue, deploying a first anchor from the first delivery catheter, where the first anchor is attached to a guide element, proximally withdrawing the first delivery catheter, advancing a second delivery catheter over the guide element, and deploying a second anchor from the second delivery catheter.