Multi-lumen Steerable Catheter Wire Shift Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steerable catheter systems face challenges with precision due to wire shifts and increased catheter wall thickness, compromising navigation and device deployment in intravascular procedures, particularly in procedures requiring multiple instruments and precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A multi-lumen catheter design with separate steering and control lumens allows for independent manipulation of steering and control wires, reducing wire shift and increasing precision, while maintaining a thinner catheter wall for improved navigation and device placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual compartmentalization of wires is implemented to enable steerable catheter functionality, then steering control is improved, but catheter wall thickness increases and central lumen utility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter wall is segmented into multiple distinct lumens (central lumen, first steering lumen, second steering lumen, control lumen) that are integrated within the wall structure. This segmentation allows separate routing of steering wires and control elements while maintaining a unified catheter body with optimized wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-lumen-or-channel design to a multi-lumen wall structure that utilizes the radial and circumferential dimensions of the catheter wall more efficiently. By creating lumens at different positions and orientations within the wall, the design accommodates multiple wires without simply increasing wall thickness in one direction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple steerable catheters are used for procedures requiring multiple instruments, then functional versatility is improved, but the increased wall thickness of each catheter compounds and increases the necessary delivery system diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter design provides multi-functionality by integrating both steering capabilities (through first and second steering lumens) and control capabilities (through control lumen) within a single catheter structure. This universal design allows one catheter to perform functions that would traditionally require multiple separate catheters, thereby reducing the overall delivery system diameter.
3Ease of operation
If wires are positioned inside the catheter for steering control, then distal end deflection capability is improved, but wire position stability deteriorates during torqueing and navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter wall is divided into multiple specialized lumens, with dedicated steering lumens for steering wires and a separate control lumen. This segmentation isolates each wire within its own confined space, preventing wire migration and positional instability while maintaining the ability to deflect the distal end through controlled wire manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable catheter has a body with an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central lumen. The outer surface and inner surface define a wall of the body, which has a plurality of steering lumen and control lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The body includes a body material. The steering lumen and control lumen have a control lumen lining and steering lumen lining, respectively, with a higher durometer than the body material. A steering wire is positioned within the steering lumen and a control wire is positioned within the control lumen.