Helical Tubular Balloon for Tortuous Vessel Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheterization procedures face challenges in accessing blocked or narrowed blood vessels due to vessel tortuosity and stenoses, preventing the effective positioning of medical devices like angioplasty balloons and stents.

Innovation Solution

A system and method involving a tubular balloon that can transition between low-profile and high-profile operating modes, constrained in a helical shape by a matrix, to create a lumen within the body, allowing for the insertion of medical devices past access obstacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel to reach blocked or narrowed areas, then the medical device can be positioned for treatment, but vessel tortuosity and stenoses prevent effective positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning of medical deviceVSAvoidvessel tortuosity and stenoses

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter shaft is divided into multiple articulating segments that can independently bend and angle relative to each other. This segmentation allows the catheter to navigate tortuous vessel paths by adjusting individual segments to follow the vessel's natural curves and reach blocked areas that would be inaccessible to a straight catheter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter incorporates dynamic articulation capabilities where the shaft segments can actively change their relative angles during insertion and positioning. This dynamic flexibility allows the catheter to adapt to varying vessel geometries in real-time, enabling effective positioning despite tortuosity and stenoses that would prevent static catheter designs from reaching the target.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter shaft is made more flexible to navigate tortuous vessels, then access to blocked areas is improved, but the catheter may lack sufficient structural support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation through tortuous vesselsVSAvoidstructural support of catheter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different segments of the catheter shaft have different flexibility characteristics. The distal segments near the articulation point are more flexible to navigate tortuous vessels, while proximal segments maintain greater structural support. This gradient of local flexibility allows the catheter to simultaneously achieve navigation capability and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter shaft utilizes composite construction combining materials with different mechanical properties. This composite structure provides the necessary balance between flexibility for navigating tortuous vessels and structural strength to support the catheter during positioning and treatment delivery, preventing collapse while enabling articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the catheter is designed with a straight shaft for simplicity, then manufacturing and operation are easier, but it cannot reach blocked areas in tortuous vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter constructionVSAvoidaccess to blocked vessels

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is constructed from a limited number of standardized articulating segments that can be assembled through conventional manufacturing processes. This segmentation approach maintains relative manufacturing simplicity while enabling the catheter to navigate tortuous vessels, as each segment is a discrete component that can be produced using standard techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulating segments are designed to nest within each other when the catheter is in a straight configuration, simplifying the overall structure and reducing manufacturing complexity. When activation is required, the segments articulate to provide the necessary flexibility for navigating tortuous vessels, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 the positioning of medical devices such as catheters and stents at desired locations by overcoming vessel tortuosity and stenoses, facilitating effective treatment of cardiovascular conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a tubular balloon that can transition between low-profile and high-profile operating modes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic expansion: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12414870B2System, apparatus, and method for creating a lumen

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 ACCUMED RADIAL SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A method of performing angioplasty includes accessing an artery, inserting a tubular balloon into to the artery in a low-profile operating mode, the tubular balloon constrained in a generally helical shape, and forming a lumen within the generally helical shape by expanding the tubular balloon into a high-profile operating mode. A system for creating a lumen is also disclosed.