Multilumen Catheter Steering via Tension Members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Intravascular procedures require precise positioning and steering of medical devices through complex and tortuous pathways, often necessitating multiple instruments and increased complexity, cost, and time, especially when dealing with heart valve interventions and ablation therapies.
Innovation Solution
An intravascular device delivery system featuring a multilumen catheter with a combination of elliptical and round lumens, allowing for precise control and deflection, and tension members to retain and actuate medical devices, enabling delivery and deployment of devices through tortuous anatomy with reduced diameter and increased ease of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate instruments are used for positioning and steering medical devices, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate instruments into a single integrated multilumen catheter that can perform positioning, steering, and device delivery functions simultaneously. The catheter integrates a guide lumen for guidewires, a delivery lumen for medical devices, and multiple control lumens for tension members, eliminating the need for separate positioning and delivery instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The multilumen catheter is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various medical devices and perform multiple functions including navigation through tortuous anatomy, positioning of devices at target sites, and delivery of therapeutic implants. The catheter's multiple lumens allow simultaneous execution of different functions that previously required separate instruments.
2Measurement precision
If positioning and steering mechanisms are built into each instrument, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates positioning and steering mechanisms into a single integrated system within the multilumen catheter. Tension members running through control lumens provide steering control for the entire catheter assembly, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms in each instrument while maintaining precise positioning capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If larger medical devices are delivered through smaller access incisions, then patient risk and recovery time are reduced, but device delivery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the medical device is delivered through the catheter in a compressed or collapsed state. The device is contained within the catheter lumen during navigation and can be deployed at the target site, allowing delivery of larger devices through smaller access incisions similar to a nested doll structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional components including the multilumen catheter, tension members for steering, and the medical device itself. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system to deliver large devices through small incisions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter navigates through tortuous anatomy, then access to remote tissue locations is improved, but catheter stiffness and pushability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a flexible construction with multiple lumens that allows it to navigate tortuous anatomy. The catheter wall and internal structures are designed to be sufficiently flexible to conform to complex vascular pathways while maintaining enough structural integrity to be pushed through the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter's mechanical properties are optimized to be dynamic rather than static - flexible enough to navigate curves and tortuous paths, yet capable of being pushed with sufficient force. The multilumen structure and tension member system allow the catheter to adapt its rigidity and flexibility as needed during navigation and deployment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An intravascular device delivery system (100) includes an elongated member (102) with a proximal end (104), a distal end (106), and a longitudinal axis (128) therebetween. The elongated member includes a multilumen catheter (116) having a catheter wall (136) with a plurality of lumen (132) in the catheter wall. The plurality of lumen extends from a proximal end of the elongated member to a distal end of the elongated member. A lumen ratio of the cross-sectional area of the plurality of lumen and the cross sectional area of the catheter wall is greater than 30%.