Nested Flexible Catheters for Controllable Bending in Implant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implant delivery devices have limited controllable bending angles, making it difficult to accurately and safely release implants in narrow spaces within the heart, particularly for valvular heart disease treatments, which can lead to complications like paravalvular leakage.
Innovation Solution
The implant delivery device features a system with two flexible catheters that can bend independently, allowing for a large controllable bending angle through section-wise bending, enabling safe and accurate implant release in narrow spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional delivery devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the controllable bending angle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device employs a nested catheter structure where a first flexible catheter is inserted within a second flexible catheter. Both catheters can bend independently, allowing the delivery assembly to achieve large controllable bending angles by combining the bending capabilities of both catheters, while maintaining a relatively compact and manageable device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device is segmented into multiple independent flexible catheters (first and second catheters) that can bend independently. This segmentation allows each catheter to contribute to the overall bending angle, enabling the delivery assembly to navigate complex anatomical paths with tight spaces while keeping each individual catheter segment manageable in complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional delivery devices are used, then the device is easy to operate, but the precision of implant release in narrow spaces is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The nested catheter configuration allows the delivery assembly to be precisely positioned in narrow spaces by independently bending the first and second flexible catheters. The delivery assembly can be advanced through the bent catheters to reach target locations with high precision, while the nested structure remains manageable for operators through coordinated control of both catheters.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant delivery device (10) and an implant delivery system are disclosed. The delivery device (10) includes a delivery assembly, a first flexible catheter (11) and a second flexible catheter (12). At least a part of the delivery assembly is movably inserted in the first flexible catheter (11) along an axial direction thereof, and both the first flexible catheter (11) and the delivery assembly are movably inserted in the second flexible catheter (12) along an axial direction thereof and configured to protrude out of the second flexible catheter (12) from its distal end. The first flexible catheter (11) and the second flexible catheter (12) are configured to bend independently. The delivery assembly changes its extension direction when bent shapes of the first flexible catheter (11) and the second flexible catheter (12) vary. Through section-wise bending of the flexible catheters, a large controllable bending angle can be achieved, solving the problems of difficult controllable bending and limited controllable bending angles associated with conventional delivery devices. As a result, implant release can be achieved in a narrow space in a safe and accurate manner, reducing the chance of paravalvular leakage and other issues that may arise during surgery.