Microfabricated Catheter Intermediate Bending Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide catheters lack operational versatility and stability when navigating the tortuous cardiac vascular anatomy, making it difficult to accurately position the distal tip of the catheter at the targeted coronary artery during procedures like PCI, due to insufficient flexibility and torquability.

Innovation Solution

The catheter device features a proximal section with a braided region, a microfabricated region with a helical cut pattern for increased flexibility, and a distal section with varying cut patterns to provide a balance of flexibility and rigidity, allowing for precise positioning and stabilization at the aortic root and targeted coronary arteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter is made more flexible to navigate tortuous pathways, then flexibility is improved, but torquability and pushability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidtorquability and pushability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple sections with different flexibility characteristics: a more flexible distal section for navigating tortuous pathways and a stiffer proximal section for maintaining torquability and pushability. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the catheter are constructed with varying material properties and structural characteristics. The distal section uses softer, more compliant materials to navigate bends, while the proximal section uses stiffer materials to transmit torque and push forces effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If conventional guide catheters are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but positioning precision and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates a dynamic intermediate section that can actively change its curvature and orientation in response to forces applied by the operator. This allows the catheter to adapt its shape to reach targeted coronary arteries while maintaining overall structural integrity through its controlled flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter features pre-formed curves and bends in specific sections to match the natural anatomy of the aorta and coronary arteries. These curved geometries facilitate navigation through tortuous pathways and improve positioning precision at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If the catheter is made more rigid to provide stability, then torquability is improved, but flexibility to navigate tortuous pathways deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetorquabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single-curve design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different patient anatomies deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidanatomical adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3727551B1Microfabricated catheter having an intermediate preferred bending section

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 SCIENTIA VASCULAR INC

Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary

An interventional device (100) configured for passage to the aortic root and to a coronary artery, the interventional device comprising: an elongated member extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated member including a proximal section (102); a distal section (110); and an intermediate section (104) having a proximal-intermediate section (106) extending distally from the proximal section and a distal intermediate section (108) extending proximally from the distal section, wherein the proximal- intermediate section includes a microfabricated cut arrangement enabling preferential flexing in one plane, and wherein the distal- intermediate section is more rigid than the proximal-intermediate section and the distal section.