Left Atrial Appendage Closure Visualization Catheter Magnetic Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices face challenges in efficiently guiding a second elongate medical device, such as a visualization catheter, through a puncture in the atrial septum after a first elongate device, like a guidewire, has been advanced, leading to potential unnecessary trauma and difficulty in positioning the second device.

Innovation Solution

The use of a first elongate member with a ferrous material and a second elongate member with magnets to attract each other, allowing the second member to be guided accurately through the puncture site, facilitated by the magnetic attraction between the ferrous material and magnets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a second elongate member is advanced through a puncture site without magnetic guidance, then the procedure can be performed with simpler devices, but the positioning accuracy and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of advancing second elongate memberVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic intermediary field is introduced between the first and second elongate members to facilitate their interaction. The first member includes a magnet that creates a magnetic field, which interacts with the ferrous material in the second member to guide it through the puncture site, improving ease of operation without requiring complex mechanical guidance mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical guidance systems with a magnetic field-based guidance system. Instead of using mechanical linkages or visual guidance tools to position the second elongate member, a magnetic field generated by a magnet in the first member interacts with ferrous material in the second member to provide automatic alignment and guidance, simplifying the overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If visualization techniques like ICE catheter are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of puncture site visualizationVSAvoidtime for advancing devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the guidance function and visualization function into a single integrated approach. The second elongate member serves both as a guidance element (with ferrous material for magnetic interaction) and as a visualization carrier (holding the ICE catheter), eliminating the need for separate guidance devices and reducing procedural time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If magnetic attraction is used to guide the second elongate member, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the ferrous material and magnets add device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of alignment through punctureVSAvoidcomplexity of ferrous material and magnets

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire elongate member complex, the patent applies magnetic properties locally only where needed. The first member has a magnet positioned at the distal end, and the second member has ferrous material positioned at the corresponding location, creating localized magnetic interaction zones that provide precise alignment without complicating the rest of the device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, direction) to control the interaction between the first and second members. By adjusting the magnetic field characteristics, the system achieves precise alignment and guidance while keeping the physical structure simple, as the magnetic parameters can be optimized without adding complex mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method ensures precise alignment and minimizes trauma by enabling the second device to follow the first device through the puncture, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of medical procedures like left atrial appendage closure.

Implementation Method 1

one or more magnets adapted to be attracted to the ferrous material of the first elongate member in order to guide the second elongate member towards the first elongate member and through the puncture site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20250228643A1Left atrial appendage closure device implantation with visualization

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A first elongate member is adapted to be advanced through a puncture formed within a body structure such as a septum and a second elongate member is adapted to be advanced through the puncture adjacent the first elongate member. The first elongate member includes a first elongate shaft and a ferrous material disposed within the first elongate shaft at a position intended to remain at a first side of the puncture site. The second elongate member includes a second elongate shaft and one or more magnets secured to the second elongate shaft that are adapted to be attracted to the ferrous material of the first elongate shaft in order to guide the second elongate member towards the first elongate member and through the puncture site. The first elongate member may be a guidewire and the second elongate member may be a visualization catheter.