Multi-Channel Bushing Atherectomy Catheter Tip Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current atherectomy devices face challenges in accurately visualizing tissue due to inaccurate imaging from sensors located far from the cutter and require high forces to reliably displace the distal tip, making minimally invasive procedures inefficient and difficult to perform.
Innovation Solution
The development of atherectomy catheters with a multi-channeled bushing that allows for low-force displacement of the distal tip, featuring a hinge point offset from the central axis and overlapping channels, enabling the cutter to be reliably exposed or covered, and integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging for precise visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a distal tip is designed to be displaced to expose a cutter, then the cutting function is improved, but the force required to displace the tip becomes undesirably large
Solution Approach 1:
The distal tip is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between covered and exposed states through displacement along the longitudinal axis. The tip can be positioned in a first configuration where it covers the cutter and a second configuration where it exposes the cutter, allowing the system to adapt its state based on operational needs while maintaining mechanical advantage throughout the range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces longitudinal displacement as a new dimension of control to manage the exposure of the cutter. By moving the distal tip along the longitudinal axis of the catheter body, the system controls whether the cutter is covered or exposed, adding a dimensional degree of freedom that enables reliable operation with reduced force requirements
2Measurement precision
If an imaging sensor is placed far from the cutter, then the device structure is simplified, but the imaging accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sensor is nested within the distal tip structure, positioned in close proximity to the cutter. The sensor is housed within the tip's internal geometry, allowing it to be located near the cutting site without adding external complexity to the overall device architecture. This nested arrangement enables high-resolution imaging of the tissue being cut while maintaining a compact device design
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 design enhances the mechanical advantage for cutting and imaging, reducing the force required to displace the distal tip and improves the accuracy of OCT imaging, allowing for more efficient and effective minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a bushing comprising a bushing body, a hinge point on a side of the bushing body
Implementation Method 2
distal movement of the drive shaft extends the cylindrical body of the cutter within the first channel of the bushing and drives the tip about the hinge point
Data Source
AI summary
Atherectomy catheters and methods of using them are described herein. In particular, described herein are optical coherence tomography (OCT) catheters that may include a distal tip that can be deflected away from the long axis of the device using a multi-channel bushing. The bushing may include at a hinge point that is offset (e.g., located on a side of the elongate body near the distal end of the elongate body) and a rotatable cutter near an imaging assembly that can be driven against the wall with a high mechanical advantage.