Multi-lumen Catheter Nested Lumens Crosstalk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-lumen catheters used in cardiovascular treatments face challenges in efficiently managing multiple functionalities within the constraints of a patient's body, regulatory requirements, and manufacturability, particularly when ensuring all necessary connections can be made through a small catheter diameter.

Innovation Solution

A multi-lumen catheter design featuring a tubular body with multiple lumens, including a lumen for a guidewire, lumens for inflating and deflating expandable occlusion elements, and additional lumens for fluid transmission or pressure measurement, all while maintaining a small outer diameter and minimizing crosstalk between lumens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lumens are included in the catheter to provide multiple functionalities, then the versatility and functionality of the catheter is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple independent lumens, each capable of performing a specific function (guidewire passage, contrast injection, suction, irrigation). This segmentation allows each lumen to be optimized for its specific purpose while maintaining overall catheter functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter design integrates multiple functions into a single device structure, allowing it to perform guidewire passage, contrast injection, suction, and irrigation simultaneously or sequentially through different lumens, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the catheter outer diameter is reduced to minimize patient trauma and improve ease of insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the available space for multiple lumens and connections is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoidspace management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter employs a nested lumen structure where smaller lumens are positioned within or alongside larger lumens. The guidewire lumen is positioned centrally, with other functional lumens arranged around it, maximizing space utilization within the constrained outer diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter design transitions from a simple single-lumen structure to a multi-lumen configuration with lumens arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations, allowing multiple functions to coexist within a small diameter by utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of lumens is increased to accommodate all necessary connections, then the versatility is improved, but the risk of crosstalk between lumens increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcrosstalk risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The design extracts or removes potential sources of crosstalk by carefully positioning lumens that could interact, such as placing the guidewire lumen in a position that minimizes interference with adjacent lumens, and designing internal walls with sufficient thickness to prevent fluid or pressure crosstalk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Thick internal walls act as intermediaries or barriers between adjacent lumens, preventing crosstalk of fluids, pressures, or signals between lumens that perform different functions, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling multiple functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If the internal wall thickness is reduced to minimize material usage and maintain flexibility, then the ease of manufacture and flexibility are improved, but the structural strength and resistance to crosstalk are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The design optimizes the internal wall thickness parameter to a specific range (0.05-0.2 mm) that balances flexibility, structural strength, and crosstalk prevention. This parameter optimization allows the catheter to maintain adequate strength while remaining flexible enough for clinical use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250127516A1Multi-lumen catheter

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 ABIOMED INC

AI summary

Disclosed are devices and systems utilizing specifically designed catheters. The catheters may include a tubular body having a first end and a second end. The tubular body may have an outer diameter that is no more than 9 Fr. The tubular body may define a plurality of lumen extending at least partially through the catheter (e.g., from the first end towards the second end). A first lumen may be configured to slidably receive a guidewire. A second lumen may be configured to inflate and/or deflate a first expandable occlusion element. A third lumen may be configured to inflate and/or deflate a second expandable occlusion element. The catheter may include a plurality of additional lumen.