Radiopaque Expandable Catheter Tip for Flexible Fluoroscopic Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical catheters with separate radiopaque marker bands at the distal tip contribute to stiffness, making navigation through tortuous vasculature difficult and limiting the visibility of the distal tip under fluoroscopy.

Innovation Solution

The expandable member is formed from radiopaque materials, eliminating the need for a separate radiopaque marker band, allowing for improved flexibility and visibility of the distal tip during fluoroscopy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate radiopaque marker band is added at the distal tip, then radiopacity and visibility under fluoroscopy is improved, but catheter flexibility and navigability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of distal tipVSAvoidnavigability through tortuous vasculature

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the radiopaque marker function with the expandable member structure itself. The expandable member is constructed with radiopaque structural elements (such as a radiopaque braid or framework) that provide both mechanical support for expansion and radiopacity for visibility, eliminating the need for a separate solid metal marker band.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable member uses composite construction with radiopaque materials integrated into the structural framework. This allows the distal tip to maintain flexibility for navigation while providing sufficient radiopacity for fluoroscopic visualization through the radiopaque structural elements within the composite structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If a solid metal radiopaque marker band is added, then radiopacity is improved, but catheter flexibility and radial expandability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveradiopacityVSAvoidradial expandability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The radiopaque function is merged into the expandable member's structural framework rather than being added as a separate solid metal band. The radiopaque structural elements are integrated into the braid or framework that provides radial strength, so the radiopacity and structural function work together rather than conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable member uses a flexible framework structure with radiopaque elements that can radially expand. The radiopaque structural elements are configured to allow radial expansion while maintaining radiopacity, avoiding the stiffness problem of solid metal bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Length of stationary object

If radiopaque material is integrated into the expandable member, then visibility extent is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextent of visible distal tipVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radiopaque structural elements serve multiple functions: they provide the framework for radial expansion, maintain structural integrity during navigation, and provide radiopacity for fluoroscopic visibility. This multi-functionality extends the visible extent without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12582425B2Catheter including a radiopaque expandable member

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

In some examples, a catheter includes an elongated body and an expandable member at a distal portion of the elongated body and defining at least part of a distal tip of the catheter. The expandable member is formed from materials that enable a distal tip of the catheter to be radiopaque without the addition of a separate radiopaque marker (e.g., a solid metal ring of radiopaque material separate from and connected to the elongated body) at the distal tip of the catheter.