Nested Catheter with Lubricious Coating for Tortuous Vessel Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for thrombectomy and embolectomy in the internal carotid artery face challenges due to the tortuous and small vessel size, leading to increased time and inefficiency in treating acute ischemic stroke, where rapid occlusion removal is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system comprising an outer and inner catheter with a hypotube structure, coated with lubricious materials like hydrophilic coatings and silicone, and reinforced with braid or coil structures, designed to facilitate navigation and reduce friction within the vasculature, allowing for enhanced efficacy and efficiency in mechanical revascularization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional catheter devices are used for thrombectomy in the internal carotid artery, then the procedure can be performed, but the time required for occlusion removal is significantly increased due to tortuous and small vessel size
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system employs a nested structure with an outer catheter and an inner catheter that can slide within it. The inner catheter is positioned within the outer catheter's working lumen, allowing the inner catheter to be advanced through the outer catheter to the occlusion site while the outer catheter provides support and tracking through the tortuous vasculature. This nested configuration enables efficient navigation and rapid thrombus removal.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter inner surface is made smoother to facilitate navigation, then navigation through tortuous vessels is improved, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is constructed using composite materials including a hypotube (typically stainless steel or nitinol) providing structural strength and rigidity, combined with a lubricious coating layer (such as hydrophilic coating or silicone) on the inner surface that provides smooth navigation. This composite structure allows the catheter to maintain mechanical strength while facilitating easy passage through tortuous vasculature.
3Ease of operation
If a hypotube structure with lubricious coating is used, then navigation and lubricity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into distinct functional segments: the outer catheter providing tracking and support, the inner catheter for thrombus engagement and removal, the hypotube structure providing structural integrity, and the lubricious coating layer facilitating navigation. Each segment is optimized for its specific function, and together they form an integrated system that achieves smooth navigation and effective thrombectomy despite the increased structural complexity.
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
The catheter system significantly reduces the time required for occlusion removal, improving patient outcomes by providing smoother navigation and increased lubricity, thus addressing the inefficiencies of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
coated with a lubricious coating. The lubricious coating, in some embodiments, comprises one or more of a hydrophilic coating and silicone
Implementation Method 2
The outer surface may be covered with a heatshrink material
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to a catheter system comprising an inner catheter and/or an outer catheter configured to at least partially receive the inner catheter. In some embodiments, the inner catheter comprises a proximal hub, a distal portion, and/or a pusher wire extending between the proximal hub and the distal portion. In some embodiments, the inner and/or the outer catheter does not include a smooth inner surface. In some embodiments, the inner and/or outer catheter includes an inner surface comprising a series of recessed surfaces. In some embodiments, the recessed surfaces are formed by the spaces between the catheter's reinforcement structure, where the spaces are filled and/or sealed by an encasement sleeve. In some embodiments, the reinforcement structure forms support surfaces for structures traversing through the inner diameter. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the support surfaces and/or recessed surfaces include reflown polymer and/or a hydrophilic coating.