Multi-Wire Catheter Deflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters lack the ability to provide varied and precise deflection curvatures, particularly in different sections, which limits their effectiveness in navigating and treating arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, as they require controlled positioning and orientation within the heart.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring two or more puller wires anchored at different locations within a deflectable section, with compression coils and a control handle allowing for independent and simultaneous manipulation of these wires to achieve nonuniform curve profiles and varying degrees of curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single puller wire is used for catheter deflection, then the structure is simple, but the ability to provide varied and precise deflection curvatures in different sections is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is divided into multiple deflectable sections (first, second, and third sections), each with its own puller wire (42A, 42B, 42C). This segmentation allows independent control of curvature in different sections, enabling varied and precise deflection profiles while maintaining overall structural manageability through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the catheter are assigned different puller wires with specific anchor points (e.g., puller wire 42A anchors at first section, 42B at second section, 42C at third section). Each section can be deflected independently with specific curvature characteristics, allowing local optimization of deflection properties for different anatomical navigation requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple puller wires are used for independent section control, then precise curvature control is achieved, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple puller wires (42A, 42B, 42C) are routed through a common control handle mechanism where they can be manipulated simultaneously or independently. The control handle integrates multiple control elements that work together to provide coordinated deflection of multiple sections, simplifying the operator interface while maintaining precise curvature control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control handle is designed with multi-functional control elements that can manipulate different puller wires through the same interface. A single control mechanism can achieve various deflection patterns by selectively engaging different puller wires, providing universal control for multiple deflection scenarios without requiring separate control mechanisms for each wire
3Adaptability or versatility
If puller wires are anchored at the same location, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to achieve nonuniform curve profiles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each puller wire is anchored at a distinct location along the catheter shaft (first puller wire at first section, second puller wire at second section, third puller wire at third section). This distributed anchor point configuration enables each section to be deflected independently with different curvature radii, creating nonuniform curve profiles that can be tailored for specific anatomical navigation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor points are positioned asymmetrically along the catheter shaft rather than uniformly or at the same location. This asymmetric distribution of anchor points (with varying distances between anchor points and the catheter tip) allows for creation of asymmetric curve profiles, enabling the catheter to navigate complex anatomical pathways requiring different curvature characteristics in different sections
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
Enables precise control over the curvature of different sections of the catheter, allowing for accurate positioning and treatment of arrhythmias by varying the deflection curvatures of the proximal and distal sections, enhancing the catheter's utility in electrophysiology procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The puller wires extend into the control handle and each is wrapped around a respective pulley mounted in the control handle
Implementation Method 2
a compression coil surrounding the shorter puller wire with the compression coil terminating at a transition between the catheter body and the deflectable section, and a compression coil surrounding the longer puller wire
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~2B
AI summary
A catheter has a control handle with at least an outer thumb control and an inner second thumb control. A longer puller wire has a distal end anchored at or near a distal end of distal deflectable portion. A shorter puller wire has a distal end anchored at or near a distal end of the proximal deflectable portion. For the shorter puller wire, a shorter compression coil has a distal end at or near a proximal end of the intermediate deflectable section. For the longer puller wire, a longer compression coil has a distal end at or near a distal end of the shorter puller wire. The inner and outer thumb controls include engagement members releasable by rotation of one thumb control relative to the other. When disengaged, the thumb controls each can be moved longitudinally relative to each other. When engaged, the thumb controls are coupled together for longitudinal movement as a single unit relative to the control handle.