Multi-Lumen Catheter Shaft With Staggered Rigidity Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices lack consideration for rigidity gaps between flexible and rigid portions, and lack multi-lumen configurations for procedures guided by sensors, affecting safety and operability in various bodily systems.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with multiple lumens featuring gradual transitions in rigidity, utilizing tubes with varying bending rigidities to connect distal and proximal ends, ensuring seamless integration of sensors and therapeutic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distal end side is made thin and flexible while the proximal end side is made thick and highly rigid, then safety and operability are improved, but a rigidity gap is created at the boundary between the distal end side portion and proximal end side portion
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is divided into multiple tube sections (first tube, second tube, third tube) with progressively different rigidity characteristics. Each tube section has a distinct rigidity level, creating a segmented structure that allows gradual transition from rigid proximal end to flexible distal end, eliminating the abrupt rigidity gap while maintaining safety and operability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter shaft are assigned different rigidity qualities to match functional requirements. The proximal end uses high-rigidity materials for structural support, while the distal end uses low-rigidity materials for flexibility and compliance with biological tissues. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the rigidity gap issue by ensuring each section has the appropriate mechanical characteristics for its specific function.
2Device complexity
If a single lumen configuration is used, then the device structure is simplified, but multi-lumen functionality required for sensor-guided procedures is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lumens are nested within the catheter shaft structure, with each lumen served by a separate tube (first tube for first lumen, second tube for second lumen). The tubes are arranged concentrically or adjacently within the overall catheter structure, allowing multi-lumen functionality while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed with multiple lumens to perform multiple functions simultaneously - one lumen for sensor insertion and another for therapeutic device insertion. This multi-functional design enables sensor-guided procedures where both sensing and treatment can be performed through the same catheter, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes a first proximal end side tube that has a first bending rigidity and forms a part of a first lumen, a first distal end side tube that has a second bending rigidity lower than the first bending rigidity and forms a part of the first lumen, a second proximal end side tube that has a third bending rigidity and forms a part of the second lumen, and a second distal end side tube that has a fourth bending rigidity lower than the third bending rigidity and forms a part of the second lumen, and a distal end position of the second proximal end side tube is located closer to the distal end side than a distal end position of the first proximal end side tube in a longitudinal direction of the medical device.