Multi-Angulated Catheter Radial Approach Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pigtail catheters are challenging to insert into the left ventricle using the radial approach due to unfavorable aortic angles, making it difficult to access the left ventricle effectively during cardiac ventriculography.
Innovation Solution
A multi-angulated catheter design with angles ranging from 105 to 140 degrees and additional angles at various distances from the tip, allowing the catheter to be flexible for advancement over a guide wire and returning to a multi-angulated position after wire withdrawal, facilitating access to the left ventricle from the arm of a patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard pigtail catheters with angles of 145 or 155 degrees are used, then the catheter structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the catheter is difficult to insert into the left ventricle using the radial approach due to unfavorable aortic angles
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple shafts with different angulations (first shaft at 105-140 degrees, second shaft at different angle) rather than a single uniform structure. This segmentation allows each shaft to be optimized for specific anatomical navigation requirements, resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter are given different angular properties - the first shaft has a specific obtuse angle for navigating the aortic arch, while the second shaft has a different angle for accessing the left ventricle. This local differentiation of geometric properties enables the catheter to adapt to varying anatomical constraints along its path.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter is made flexible to be straightened during advancement, then the catheter can be advanced over the guide wire, but the catheter loses its multi-angulated position during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs dynamic flexibility through a trackable braid construction that allows the device to temporarily straighten during advancement over the guide wire, then return to its configured multi-angulated shape once positioned. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between needing flexibility for insertion and maintaining structural integrity for positioning.
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 multi-angulated catheter design enhances the suitability of the standard pigtail catheter for the radial approach, improving insertion and visualization of the left ventricle during cardiac ventriculography by allowing precise positioning and effective filling with radiopaque dye.
Implementation Method 1
The multi-angulated catheter is flexible so as to afford being straightened when it is advanced over a guide wire. The multi-angulated catheter returns to a multi-angulated position after the guide wire is withdrawn.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed to a multi-angulated catheter and methods of using the multi-angulated catheter. The multi-angulated catheter is so dimensioned as to facilitate accessing the left ventricle from an arm of a patient. The multi-angulated catheter generally includes in order: (a) a coiled end; (b) a first straight portion having a first straight portion length; (c) a first shaft including a distal end connected to the first straight portion and a proximal end opposite the distal end, the first shaft and the first straight portion defining a first obtuse angle, the first shaft having a first shaft length; and (d) a second shaft connected to the first shaft on the proximal end. The catheter is flexible so as to afford being straightened when it is advanced over a guide wire. The catheter resiliently returns to a multi-angulated position after the guide wire is withdrawn.