Nested Hoop Catheter for Faster Intima Shearing Without Torsion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endovascular devices with single-bladed cutters face inefficiencies due to limited adjustable variables, prolonged procedures, and potential for unintended tissue damage from high-speed rotation and torsional effects.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with nested hoops that rotate relative to each other, allowing counter-rotation to eliminate torsional effects and increase contact points, enabling faster tissue ablation or debridement without excessive speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-bladed cutter rotates in one direction, then tissue ablation is achieved, but torsional effects are induced in the vessel and tissue deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single-bladed cutter is segmented into multiple counter-rotating blades arranged in nested hoops. This segmentation allows the torsional effects to be distributed and offset across multiple blades rotating in opposite directions, reducing the net torsional impact on the vessel while maintaining effective tissue ablation through multiple contact points
Solution Approach 2:
Counter-rotating blades are introduced to preemptively offset torsional effects before they can cause significant vessel deformation. The opposing rotation creates balancing forces that neutralize the harmful torsional effects generated by individual blades, preventing tissue deformation while preserving ablation efficacy
2Productivity
If rotational speed is increased to reduce procedure time, then productivity improves, but unintended tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting function is segmented across multiple blades instead of relying on a single high-speed blade. This allows the total ablation task to be distributed among several blades rotating at lower speeds, reducing the risk of unintended tissue damage from excessive rotational speed while maintaining productivity through parallel action of multiple blades
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple blades provide excessive contact points with the tissue, ensuring thorough ablation coverage. This partial redundancy allows each blade to operate at lower speeds while collectively achieving complete tissue treatment, thereby reducing harmful effects associated with high-speed rotation of individual blades
3Productivity
If a single-bladed cutter is used, then device complexity is low, but tissue shearing rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hoops containing counter-rotating blades are nested within each other, allowing compact arrangement of complex components. This nesting strategy enables multiple blades to be integrated into a single catheter structure without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, while achieving doubled tissue shearing rate through coordinated rotation of nested hoops
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 nested hoop design allows for double the tissue shearing rate with reduced velocity, potentially cutting procedure time in half while minimizing vessel damage.
Implementation Method 1
The effect of the edges of the nested hoops approaching each other during relative rotation allows for tissue to be dynamically sheared at double the rate of a single cutter
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for endovascular use is provided for treating a vessel intima. The device includes a catheter adapted to form a plurality of nested hoops capable of rotating relative to one another in a deployed position. The plurality of hoops may include an inner hoop having a smaller diameter than an outer hoop, each of which hoops is connected to a corresponding tube. One or more motors may be used to rotate the hoops relative to each other, including in a counter-rotating manner. Related methods are also disclosed.