Housed Expandable Actuator Cutter for Vessel Wall Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endovascular treatment methods, such as balloon dilatation, face limitations in addressing elastic recoil and hard calcifications, particularly in 'below the knee' applications, where a more effective and controlled method for cutting or scoring vessel walls is needed.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with a shaft and housing that includes a cutter mechanism, actuated by an expandable member like an inflatable balloon, allowing the cutter to move from a retracted to a deployed position for slicing or scoring lesions, with optional dual cutters and adjustable deployment mechanisms for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If balloon dilatation is used to treat vessel lesions, then the procedure is simple and applicable to various locations, but elastic recoil occurs and hard calcifications cannot be effectively treated
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter is extracted from the balloon catheter structure and housed in a separate dimensionally stable housing, allowing the cutting function to be independently activated only when needed, while maintaining the balloon's ability to navigate various vascular locations
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the treatment functions into distinct components: the balloon for navigation and initial dilation, and the housed cutter for specific cutting operations, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other
2Reliability
If a cutter is deployed to actively cut the vessel wall, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter is nested within a dimensionally stable housing that contains all cutting components in a compact, retracted state during navigation, and can be deployed outward when needed, maintaining a simple profile during delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter transitions from a static retracted position to a dynamic deployed position through the expandable actuator, allowing the device to maintain simplicity during navigation while providing complex cutting capability when activated
3Reliability
If the cutter is always deployed, then cutting function is available, but tissue damage increases and navigation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter is prepared in advance within the housing with the blade positioned for cutting, but remains concealed during navigation, allowing the device to be delivered to the target location without causing tissue damage along the access path
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting function is extracted and housed separately, allowing it to be activated only at the specific treatment location rather than being continuously deployed, thereby minimizing tissue damage during navigation and delivery
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 catheter provides a controlled and effective means to cut or score vessel walls, addressing the limitations of balloon angioplasty by minimizing tissue damage and allowing for precise intervention in challenging vascular conditions, including hard calcifications.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator may comprise an inflatable balloon
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cutting a wall of a vessel, such as scoring or slicing a lesion associated therewith. A catheter (10) includes a shaft (12) having a distal portion supporting a housing (20) including a first lateral passage (20a). A cutter (22) is adapted for moving from a retracted position within the housing (20) to a deployed position for at least partially projecting from the passage (20a). A expandable actuator (24) within the housing (20), such as an inflatable balloon (26), actuates the cutter (22) to move from the retracted position fully within the housing (20) to the deployed position at least partially projecting from the housing (20). More than one cutter (22′) may be provided, which cutters (22′) may be simultaneously actuated by the same actuator (26′).