Introducer with Side Opening for Branch Vessel Cannulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional introducers for endoluminal prostheses require longer pre-loaded components to access target arteries, leading to increased procedural times and complexity in branch vessel cannulation.
Innovation Solution
An introducer system comprising an inner cannula, a pusher catheter with a longitudinally movable tubular sheath, and a wire lumen, allowing for reduced component length and simplified cannulation by aligning openings in the sheath and pusher catheter for wire access and prosthesis deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pre-loaded components (wire, catheter, sheath) extend substantially the entire length of the introducer, then the components can traverse the delivery system and access target arteries, but the components require greater length than the introducer itself, increasing device complexity and procedural time
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is pre-loaded within the pusher catheter lumen before introduction into the patient. The distal end of the wire extends beyond the distal end of the pusher catheter, allowing it to be ready for immediate use in branch vessel cannulation without requiring the entire component to extend the full length of the introducer.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system is divided into functional segments: the introducer for initial access, the pusher catheter with its own lumen for wire storage, and the wire itself for branch cannulation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring all components to extend the full introducer length.
2Ease of operation
If pre-loaded components extend beyond the introducer length, then target arteries can be accessed, but procedural time increases due to the complexity of managing longer components
Solution Approach 1:
The wire is pre-positioned within the pusher catheter lumen with its distal end extending beyond the catheter, so that when the pusher catheter is advanced through the introducer, the wire is already in place and ready for branch vessel access, eliminating the need for separate wire insertion steps and reducing procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire is nested within the pusher catheter lumen, which itself is nested within the introducer. This nested configuration allows the wire to be stored compactly during delivery while remaining accessible for immediate use, reducing the time required for branch vessel cannulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheath is movable relative to the pusher catheter between delivery and deployment positions, then prosthesis deployment is enabled, but the alignment of openings requires precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is designed to be longitudinally movable relative to the pusher catheter, transitioning from a delivery position where it covers the prosthesis to a deployment position where it exposes the prosthesis for implantation. This dynamic positioning allows the openings in the sheath and pusher catheter to align precisely when needed for wire access and prosthesis deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings in the sheath and pusher catheter are pre-positioned at specific locations that will align when the sheath is in the deployment position. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the sheath is retracted to deploy the prosthesis, the openings are automatically aligned for wire access without requiring additional adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
An introducer for an endoluminal prosthesis and a methods for delivering a prosthesis within a body vessel are described. The introducer (102) comprises pusher catheter (112) having a lumen extending therethrough, the lumen being in communication with an opening formed in the sidewall of the pusher. A sheath (134) is disposed over the pusher catheter and also has an opening formed in its sidewall. The sheath (134) is longitudinally movable relative to the pusher catheter (122) between a prosthesis delivery position and a prosthesis deployment position. When the sheath (134) is in the deployment position, the opening formed in the sidewall of the pusher catheter (122) is at least partially longitudinally aligned with the opening formed in the sidewall of the sheath (134). A wire may extend though the opening in the sheath, the opening in the pusher, through the lumen of the pusher and through a fenestration in a prosthesis to cannulate a branch vessel.