Movable Ring Seal for Vascular Catheter Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vascular treatment systems face significant back bleeding and leakage issues due to inadequate sealing between the laser ablation catheter and the outer sheath, which can lead to health risks and impact treatment effectiveness, and lack user feedback and adjustment capabilities for seal quality during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A handle assembly with a movable ring that adjusts to multiple positions to provide distinct pressure seals between the catheter and the handle assembly, allowing for varying degrees of movement and frictional contact, thereby controlling the seal quality and preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve with compliant material is used to seal the catheter, then hemostasis can be maintained, but significant back bleeding and leakage occur due to insufficient seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the ring movable along the longitudinal axis to dynamically adjust the sealing pressure. The ring can be positioned at multiple locations (first position for minimal contact, second position for frictional contact, third position for fixed contact), allowing the seal quality to be adjusted based on procedural needs. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling sufficient seal pressure to prevent leakage while avoiding excessive pressure that would cause back bleeding.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter is freely movable within the handle assembly, then ease of manipulation is improved, but seal quality deteriorates leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The movable ring provides dynamic control over the balance between catheter manipulability and seal quality. When the ring is positioned at the first location, the catheter can move freely for easy manipulation. When positioned at the second or third locations, the ring applies increasing frictional contact and pressure to improve seal quality while maintaining some degree of controllability. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the operator to optimize the balance between ease of operation and seal reliability based on the specific procedural requirements.
3Reliability
If the catheter is fixed with high frictional contact, then seal quality is improved, but ease of manipulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable ring enables dynamic adjustment of frictional contact between the catheter and handle assembly. By positioning the ring at different locations along the longitudinal axis, the operator can control the degree of frictional contact. At the first position, friction is minimal for easy manipulation. At the second position, moderate friction provides both seal quality and some manipulability. At the third position, high friction ensures excellent seal quality when catheter movement is not required. This resolves the contradiction by allowing optimization of either seal quality or ease of operation depending on the procedural phase.
4Device complexity
If a fixed seal structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to adjust seal quality during procedure is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The movable ring adds minimal structural complexity while providing significant adaptability. The ring can be简单地 positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis, possibly with the aid of features like threads or detents. This simple mechanical adjustment mechanism enables the operator to adapt the seal quality during the procedure based on observed bleeding, leakage, or manipulation requirements, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and procedural adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the position of the ring along the longitudinal axis, which changes the sealing pressure parameter. This single parameter adjustment (ring position) enables adaptation to different procedural conditions without requiring complex multi-parameter control systems. The ability to change the sealing pressure parameter dynamically resolves the contradiction between simple device structure and versatile seal adjustment capability.
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 movable ring system effectively manages seal pressure, preventing leakage and ensuring the catheter's stability within the handle assembly, enhancing the safety and efficacy of vascular surgical procedures by providing adjustable and user-interactive sealing control.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting the movable ring to two or more positions to provide a distinct pressure seal based on a corresponding position of the movable ring
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the movable ring to a second position to provide a second pressure seal between the catheter and the handle assembly such that the catheter is movable in frictional contact with the handle assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discussed a device, method and/or system for performing a sealing control for a vascular treatment system having a handle assembly. To perform the sealing control, a movable ring associated with the handle assembly is adjusted to at least one of: a first position to provide a minimum pressure seal between the catheter and the handle assembly such that the catheter is freely movable within the handle assembly, a second position to provide a predetermined amount of pressure seal between the catheter and the handle assembly such that the catheter is movable in frictional contact with the handle assembly, and a third position to provide a maximum pressure seal between the catheter and the handle assembly such that the catheter is unmovable within the handle assembly.