Introducer Placement System With Radial Locking Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate and reliable placement of introducer assemblies, such as sheaths and catheters, within a patient's vasculature is challenging due to their lack of visibility under imaging techniques like ultrasonic imaging, and adding radiopaque elements can affect the device's structure and performance.
Innovation Solution
An introducer assembly with a positioning device featuring a coil spring that applies even radial compressive force, allowing for precise marking and fixation of the sheath or catheter's position without altering its diameter, enabling accurate placement without relying on extensive imaging methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If radiopaque elements are added to the introducer assembly to improve visibility under imaging methods, then visibility is improved, but the structure and performance of the device are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visibility function from the introducer assembly itself by using external imaging methods (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, X-ray, CT, MRI) to track the position of the introducer. The introducer remains structurally simple without radiopaque elements, while external imaging devices provide the necessary visibility for accurate placement and monitoring throughout the procedure.
2Measurement precision
If a positioning device is added to mark and fix the percutaneous entry point, then placement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning device as an intermediary component that marks and fixes the percutaneous entry point on the patient's body. This separate positioning device works in conjunction with the introducer assembly but is not integrated into its core structure, thereby improving placement accuracy while minimizing the impact on the introducer's structural complexity and performance.
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 solution ensures reliable and precise positioning of medical devices, particularly in sensitive areas like branch vessels or bifurcations, without compromising the integrity or visibility of the introducer assembly under ultrasonic imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring provided with at least one turn, wherein the sheath or catheter is locatable within the at least one turn of the coil, the positioning device being movable along the sheath or catheter when the locking device is in the releasing condition and being fixed in position on the sheath or catheter when the locking device is in the locking condition, the at least one turn applying a substantially even radial compressive force to the sheath or catheter
Data Source
AI summary
An introducer assembly is provided with a sheath and a positioning device. The positioning device is able to be configured between released and locking conditions, wherein in the released condition the device can be slid along the outer sheath of the introducer. In the locked condition, the position device is locked to the sheath. The position device is used to fix the length of sheath which can be inserted into a patient and thereby to set the position of the distal end the sheath and thereby the position at which a medical device would be deployed in the patient. The positioning device includes a coil spring with a plurality of coil turns able to apply an even compressive force to the sheath in all radial directions in order to minimize the chance of collapse of the sheath as a result of compressive force.