Guide Extension Catheter Balloon Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide extension catheters face challenges in stabilizing the distal end during procedures, leading to difficulties in advancing devices like stents and balloons through tortuous vessels, which can result in increased time, radiation exposure, and risks of dissection or restenosis.
Innovation Solution
A guide catheter extension device with a compliant balloon at the distal end that can be inflated to anchor the catheter within the vessel, providing stabilization and uniform pressure against the vessel walls, allowing for smoother advancement of guide wires and delivery of treatment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If guide catheter extension is used to provide additional backup support, then device delivery capability is improved, but the distal end remains unsupported making it difficult to advance through tortuous vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extension catheter incorporates a balloon at its distal end that can be selectively inflated to provide localized support exactly where needed. This allows the distal end to transition from a flexible, easily navigable state to a supported, stable state during device delivery, resolving the contradiction between ease of navigation and distal support.
2Productivity
If conventional guide catheter support techniques are used, then procedure time is reduced, but stent delivery fails in 18-20% of PCIs requiring bailout with guide extension
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extension catheter with integrated balloon is prepared in advance with the balloon capability, allowing operators to have immediate backup support ready without requiring separate bailout procedures. This preliminary preparation of the extension device with balloon support improves both reliability and maintains procedure efficiency.
3Force
If guide extension is advanced into proximal or midportion of coronary artery to obtain backup, then additional support is provided, but increased time, radiation dosing, and contrast are required
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon support capability is extracted and integrated directly into the guide extension catheter itself, eliminating the need for separate bailout procedures and reducing the time, radiation, and contrast required. The support function is built into the extension device, making it self-sufficient.
4Adaptability or versatility
If guide extension is used with radial interventions having less guiding catheter backup support, then access to complex PCI is improved, but the unsupported distal end creates difficulty in passing through lesions
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extension catheter incorporates a dynamic balloon that can be inflated or deflated as needed. During navigation through tortuous vessels and radial access, the balloon remains deflated for flexibility, then can be inflated to provide dynamic support when needed to cross lesions, adapting to the procedural requirements.
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 balloon-based stabilization enhances the delivery capability of guide extension catheters, reducing procedural time and risks by maintaining the catheter's position within the vessel, facilitating the advancement of stents, balloons, and microcatheters, while minimizing the risk of dissection and restenosis.
Implementation Method 1
The outer surface of the balloon is configured to expand radially to directly contact and apply uniform pressure against the inner walls of the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A guide extension catheter with improved stability includes an elongated pushing portion connected to an extension portion with a balloon disposed near its distal end. An inflation lumen extends along a length of the pushing portion and the extension portion to feed fluid into an interior of the balloon. Introduction of fluid into the balloon expands it radially outward from the extension to apply pressure against an inner wall of the vessel to anchor the distal end of the extension within the vessel.