Multi-Axial Catheter Access Through Tortuous Aortic Arch
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter systems face difficulties in accessing the carotid artery in patients with a tortuous aortic arch, leading to increased procedural time and risk of catheter prolapse into the ascending aorta, which can delay treatment for ischemic stroke and result in significant neural circuitry loss.
Innovation Solution
A quadra-axial catheter system comprising a guide catheter, groin-to-brain catheter, diagnostic catheter, and guide wire, designed to provide sequential stiffness and support for efficient navigation through tortuous vasculature, allowing direct access to cerebral arteries with reduced steps and minimized prolapse risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a catheter system is advanced through a tortuous aortic arch to access the carotid artery, then access to the cerebral vasculature is achieved, but the risk of prolapse into the ascending aorta increases and procedural time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into multiple concentric catheters (first catheter, second catheter, third catheter) with different stiffness characteristics. Each catheter segment serves a specific function: the first catheter provides initial access, the second catheter provides intermediate support, and the third catheter provides final stabilization. This segmentation allows progressive navigation through the tortuous aortic arch while maintaining control and preventing prolapse, thereby reducing procedural time and improving access reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each catheter in the multi-axial system has locally differentiated stiffness properties - the first catheter has lower stiffness for navigation, the second catheter has intermediate stiffness for support, and the third catheter has higher stiffness for stabilization. This local quality variation allows each catheter to perform its specific function optimally while working together to prevent prolapse and reduce procedural time.
2Reliability
If a stiff catheter is used to provide support during advancement, then prolapse is prevented, but the ability to negotiate tight corners in tortuous vasculature is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic stiffness management by using multiple catheters with progressively increasing stiffness. The softer first catheter can dynamically adapt to and negotiate tight corners in the tortuous aortic arch, while the stiffer second and third catheters provide dynamic support as needed. The operator can adjust the level of support by advancing or retracting the catheters, allowing the system to be both flexible for navigation and stable for prevention of prolapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-axial catheter system nests catheters within catheters, with the first catheter containing the second catheter, which in turn contains the third catheter. This nested structure allows the softer inner catheters to navigate tight corners while the stiffer outer catheters provide support. The nested design enables progressive engagement of stiffness as each catheter is advanced, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for negotiation and stiffness for support.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes catheter systems and methods for accessing the brain during endovascular/neurointervention procedures in the treatment of ischemic stroke. More specifically, a multi-axial catheter system and kit is described that improves the process of accessing a carotid artery particularly in patients having a tortuous aortic arch and thereafter improves the process of gaining access to the brain to enable the insertion of aspiration and/or the deployment clot retrieval devices. In addition, methods of utilizing these systems are described.