Guiding Sheath Hinge Mechanism for Angulated Vessel Navigation

Solution Overview

Problem

Guiding sheaths used to deliver endovascular devices to the vascular system often lack the rigidity to maintain their shape during tracking of larger or stiffer devices in challenging anatomy, as they need to be flexible for initial placement into blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

A guiding sheath system with a hinge-like connection at the end, allowing the distal end to be directed and maintained in a vector different from the remainder of the sheath, using a cap and extension members to deflect and curve the inner sheath for precise positioning and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the guiding sheath is made flexible to facilitate initial placement into blood vessels, then ease of insertion is improved, but the ability to maintain shape during tracking of larger or stiffer devices in challenging anatomy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidshape maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding sheath is divided into multiple segments: a proximal shaft portion and a distal extension portion that can deflect relative to each other. This segmentation allows the proximal shaft to remain straight for stable device tracking while the distal extension provides flexibility for navigation into branching vessels, resolving the contradiction between shape maintenance and ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding sheath incorporates a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows the distal extension portion to deflect at an angle relative to the proximal shaft. This dynamic capability enables the sheath to adapt its shape during insertion into branching vessels while maintaining stability in the proximal portion for accurate device delivery, simultaneously achieving flexibility and shape maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the guiding sheath is made rigid to maintain shape during tracking of devices, then shape maintenance is improved, but the ability to navigate into branching vessels deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape maintenanceVSAvoidadaptability to branching anatomy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding sheath is divided into multiple segments: a proximal shaft portion and a distal extension portion that can deflect relative to each other. This segmentation allows the proximal shaft to remain straight for stable device tracking while the distal extension provides flexibility for navigation into branching vessels, resolving the contradiction between shape maintenance and ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding sheath incorporates a dynamic hinge mechanism that allows the distal extension portion to deflect at an angle relative to the proximal shaft. This dynamic capability enables the sheath to adapt its shape during insertion into branching vessels while maintaining stability in the proximal portion for accurate device delivery, simultaneously achieving flexibility and shape maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the distal end of the sheath is allowed to deflect to align with branching vessels, then adaptability to angulated anatomy is improved, but the stability and firm maintenance of the sheath vector deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to angulated anatomyVSAvoidvector stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding sheath is divided into multiple segments: a proximal shaft portion and a distal extension portion that can deflect relative to each other. This segmentation allows the proximal shaft to remain straight for stable device tracking while the distal extension provides flexibility for navigation into branching vessels, resolving the contradiction between shape maintenance and ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge mechanism acts as an intermediary between the proximal shaft and distal extension, allowing controlled deflection while maintaining overall structural stability. This intermediary joint enables the distal end to adapt to branching vessels while the proximal portion maintains its vector for stable device delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12150876B2Guiding sheath system and method of delivering an endovascular device using the same

Publication Date: 2024.11.26 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION

AI summary

A guiding sheath system includes a first sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, an extension member connected to the distal end of the first sheath, the extension member terminating in a distal end, a second sheath extending through the first sheath, the second sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and a cap connected to the distal end of the extension member and the distal end of the second sheath. Upon advancing the second sheath through the first sheath, the cap restrains the distal end of the second sheath and the cap deflects relative to the first sheath thereby causing a portion of the second sheath protruding from the first sheath to bend into a curve with the distal end of the second sheath at a vector different from a vector of the first sheath.