Guiding Sheath Tip Locator for Radiation-Free Catheter Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guiding sheaths for medical procedures involving the heart lack improved deflection characteristics and rely on radiation-based fluoroscopy for locating the distal end of diagnostic or treatment catheters, posing health risks to physicians.
Innovation Solution
A guiding sheath assembly with electrically conductive elements or proximity sensing elements on the control handle and catheter to confirm engagement without radiation, using visual or auditory indicators for contact confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluoroscopy is used to locate the distal end of the catheter, then the physician can see where the catheter is located, but the physician is exposed to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fluoroscopy-based visual detection system with an electrical circuit-based detection system. Electrically conductive elements are integrated into the catheter and guiding sheath to form a complete circuit when the catheter is properly positioned, providing visual or auditory confirmation without radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrically conductive elements as intermediary components between the catheter and the guiding sheath. These elements serve as mediators that enable detection of catheter position through electrical circuit completion rather than direct visual observation via fluoroscopy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electrically conductive elements are added to confirm catheter engagement, then radiation exposure is eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrically conductive elements serve multiple functions: they provide structural reinforcement to the catheter, enable electrical circuit completion for position detection, and facilitate visual or auditory confirmation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the conductive elements with the existing catheter and guiding sheath structures. The conductive elements are integrated into the catheter body and sheath wall rather than being separate add-on components, minimizing overall device complexity.
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
Enables precise localization of the catheter distal end without radiation exposure, enhancing procedural safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
adding electrically conductive elements or other proximity sensing elements to each of the guiding sheath and the diagnostic or treatment catheter that, upon contact with one another, complete a circuit and provide a visual or audio confirmation of contact
Implementation Method 2
The proximity sensing elements can detect the proximity of each other using electrical, optical, physical and magnetic sensing
Implementation Method 3
The proximity sensing elements can detect the proximity of each other using electrical, optical, physical and magnetic sensing
Implementation Method 4
The proximity sensing elements can detect the proximity of each other using electrical, optical, physical and magnetic sensing
Data Source
AI summary
A guiding sheath has a hemostatic valve and a central lumen into which a diagnostic or treatment catheter can be introduced and guided into a patient. The hemostatic valve also includes an electrically conducting element or proximity sensing element on its proximal end that interacts with a second electrically conducting element or proximity sensing element on a proximal end of the diagnostic or treatment catheter that can be passed through the central lumen of the guiding sheath and into the patient's heart. The interaction between the two electrically conducting elements or proximity sensing elements enables the location of the distal end of the diagnostic or treatment catheter in the patient's heart without the need for irradiating the patient.