Pre-curved Steerable Catheter with Dynamic Pull-Wire Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter designs, such as pre-curved and pull-wire steerable catheters, face challenges in navigating complex anatomical structures due to their static nature and difficulty in adjusting curvature, which limits their versatility and ease of use, especially in varying airway diameters and bifurcations.
Innovation Solution
A pre-curved steerable catheter with a permanently curved flexible end portion and at least one pull wire extending through a lumen, allowing for dynamic angle adjustment via a handle, combining the ease of pre-curved navigation with the versatility of pull-wire steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pre-curved catheter is used for navigation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different anatomical structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates a pull-wire mechanism that allows the curvature of the distal end portion to be dynamically adjusted during use. By tensioning the pull-wire, the catheter can transition from a pre-curved state to a more flexible state, enabling adaptation to different anatomical structures without requiring multiple catheters with fixed curvatures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pull-wire catheter is used to achieve steering capability, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter design applies local quality by providing a pre-curved distal end portion that requires minimal manipulation, while only requiring simple pull-wire tensioning for steering adjustments. This localized curvature combined with simple pull-wire actuation makes the device easier to operate compared to traditional pull-wire catheters that require complex manipulation throughout the entire catheter body.
3Device complexity
If a pre-curved catheter is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to reach difficult targets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter combines the simplicity of a pre-curved catheter with the multi-functionality of a pull-wire steerable catheter. The single device can operate in pre-curved mode for simple navigations and switch to adjustable curvature mode for complex anatomical structures, eliminating the need for multiple specialized catheters while maintaining design simplicity.
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
Enables simplified and versatile navigation through complex anatomical structures by allowing clinicians to adjust the catheter's curvature, reducing the need for multiple catheters and improving access to difficult-to-reach targets, enhancing the ease of use and effectiveness in procedures like lung navigation.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one pull wire, when tensioned, provides a change in an angle of the curved flexible end portion of the catheter body
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-curved steerable catheter includes a catheter body (102) having a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a permanently curved flexible end portion (110). A pull wire (108) is disposed in a pull wire lumen within the catheter body. The pull wire extends from the distal end portion to a proximal end portion of the catheter body wherein the pull wire, when tensioned, provides a change in an angle of the curved flexible end portion of the catheter body.