Multishape Catheter Using Grooved Tubular Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter technologies lack the ability to form complex, predetermined shapes for precise navigation and measurement within the body, limiting their effectiveness in accessing specific anatomical regions.
Innovation Solution
A probe system comprising a flexible insertion tube with a sequence of rigid tubular modules having preset shapes and a flexible expander tube with external grooves, which can be aligned and locked into a desired configuration using an expansion element, allowing for the formation of various two- or three-dimensional shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a catheter uses a flexible insertion tube without rigid structured modules, then the catheter maintains flexibility for insertion, but it cannot form complex predetermined shapes for precise navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple rigid tubular modules (first module, second module, third module) with different preset shapes that can be selectively engaged. Each module has grooves that interface with the expander tube, allowing individual modules to be locked into specific configurations to form complex predetermined shapes while maintaining overall system flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system transitions from a static flexible tube to a dynamic structure where rigid modules can be selectively engaged and disengaged. The expander tube mechanism allows the catheter to switch between flexible insertion mode and rigid shaped deployment mode, adapting its properties based on operational requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If a catheter uses rigid structured modules with preset shapes, then it can form complex predetermined shapes for precise navigation, but it loses flexibility for insertion and returning to neutral shape
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid tubular modules are nested within the flexible insertion tube during the insertion phase. The modules can be sequentially engaged or disengaged from the insertion tube, allowing the catheter to navigate through body passages in a flexible state and then lock into precise predetermined shapes when needed for measurement or intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system changes its physical parameters by transitioning between flexible and rigid states. The expander tube mechanism controls the engagement of rigid modules, allowing the catheter to adjust its rigidity and shape characteristics based on the operational phase (insertion vs. deployment)
3Stability of the object's composition
If a catheter uses a sequence of rigid tubular modules with grooves and an expander tube, then it can lock into desired configurations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expander tube serves as an intermediary mechanism that controls the engagement between the rigid tubular modules and the flexible insertion tube. By expanding or compressing the expander tube, the operator can lock or release the modules into their desired configurations, providing stable positioning without requiring complex locking mechanisms at each module interface
Data Source
AI summary
A probe, consisting of a flexible insertion tube, for insertion into a subject via a body lumen. The probe includes a sequence of tubular modules contained within the insertion tube, each module having a rigid tube segment having a preset shape and containing internal grooves on an interior surface of the tube segment. The probe further includes a flexible expander tube, which is threaded through the sequence of tubular modules and has external grooves configured to engage the internal grooves within the tube segment of each of the tubular modules when the expander tube is expanded, so as to hold the tubular modules in mutual alignment, wherein the tubular modules are able to move out of mutual alignment when the expander tube is unexpanded. The probe also has an expansion element, which is insertable through the flexible expander tube so as to expand the expander tube.