Hybrid Micro Guide Catheter Segmented Stiffness Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices, such as catheters, lack optimal designs and materials that balance stiffness, visualization, and distal access for effective navigation and treatment within vascular regions, particularly in neurological applications.
Innovation Solution
The design of catheters with a support and visualization portion near the proximal end and a distal access portion near the distal end, utilizing tubular members made from various materials like metals and polymers, with coatings and micro-machining to enhance flexibility and steerability, allowing for both proximal stiffness and distal flexibility, enabling deeper vascular access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the catheter is made with uniform stiffness throughout, then it provides structural support and pushability, but it cannot navigate tortuous vasculature or access deep target regions
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct segments with different mechanical properties: a proximal support portion with higher stiffness for pushability and a distal access portion with lower stiffness for navigation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter are assigned different local qualities - the proximal region has higher stiffness to provide structural support and pushability, while the distal region has lower stiffness to enable navigation through tortuous vasculature. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing overall strength and local adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter material is made more flexible to navigate tortuous vasculature, then distal access is improved, but proximal stiffness and pushability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure is segmented into a flexible distal portion for navigation and a stiff proximal portion for pushability. This allows the distal end to conform to tortuous vasculature while the proximal end maintains sufficient stiffness for effective advancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter exhibits spatially varying mechanical properties where the distal region has lower stiffness to enable navigation through complex vasculature, while the proximal region maintains higher stiffness for pushability. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both navigation and pushability.
3Strength
If the catheter diameter is increased to provide better structural support, then pushability improves, but access to small distal vessels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented with a larger diameter proximal portion providing structural support and a smaller diameter distal portion enabling access to small vessels. This dimensional segmentation allows the catheter to maintain strength where needed while achieving access to distal targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter has spatially varying diameter with a larger proximal section for structural integrity and pushability, and a smaller distal section for accessing small vessels. This local quality variation in diameter resolves the contradiction between needing overall structural support and local access capability.
4Loss of information
If radiopaque materials are added for visualization, then imaging capability improves, but catheter flexibility and steerability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Radiopaque materials are applied locally to specific portions of the catheter (such as marker bands or proximal sections) rather than throughout the entire catheter. This localized application provides necessary visualization capability while minimizing the impact on overall catheter flexibility and steerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates radiopaque materials as composite components within the catheter structure, such as radiopaque marker bands or radiopaque proximal sections combined with flexible catheter materials. This composite approach provides visualization capability while maintaining the flexibility and steerability of the non-radiopaque portions.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid microguide catheter and method for making and using the same. The catheter may include a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The tubular members may be arranged so that the second tubular member extends distally beyond the first tubular member. Alternatively, the catheter may include a tubular body having a first opening and a second opening. The first opening may be positioned along the tubular body a distance from the second opening.