Radiofrequency Cutting Catheter and Heated Balloon for Stent Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical and endoscopic methods for treating gastric pseudocysts are invasive and complex, involving multiple instruments and procedures, which increase the risk of infection and are time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A stent delivery system with a catheter shaft, inflatable balloon, cutting electrode, and heating electrodes, allowing for a single device to create an incision, dilate, and deploy a shape memory polymer stent for pseudocyst drainage, reducing the need for multiple instruments and simplifying the procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical or endoscopic methods are used to treat gastric pseudocysts, then drainage can be achieved, but the procedure becomes invasive and complex requiring multiple instruments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple previously separate instruments and functions into a single catheter device. The catheter integrates a cutting electrode for incision creation, an inflatable balloon for dilation, and a stent delivery mechanism, all within one device that can be inserted through the stomach wall to drain the pseudocyst. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate surgical or endoscopic instruments while maintaining effective drainage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single catheter device performs multiple functions that previously required separate instruments: it creates the incision through radiofrequency cutting, dilates the tract through balloon inflation, delivers and deploys the stent, and provides drainage. This multi-functional design reduces procedural complexity while achieving complete pseudocyst drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple instruments are used for pseudocyst drainage, then drainage can be achieved, but the procedure becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage effectivenessVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By combining incision creation, dilation, stent delivery, and drainage functions into a single catheter device, the procedure is streamlined into one continuous action rather than requiring sequential use of multiple instruments. This reduces the time required for patient positioning, instrument insertion, and procedural steps while maintaining effective drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is pre-configured with all necessary components (cutting electrode, balloon, stent) in a ready-to-deploy state. The cutting electrode is positioned to create the incision, the balloon is prepared for immediate inflation to dilate the tract, and the stent is loaded for delivery. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming setup steps during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If surgical approach is used, then drainage can be achieved, but the risk of infection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage effectivenessVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical cutting with radiofrequency electromagnetic energy for incision creation. The RF cutting electrode generates heat through electromagnetic induction to cut through tissue, which reduces mechanical trauma and potential introduction of pathogens compared to traditional surgical blades or forceful mechanical dilation. This energy-based approach minimizes infection risk while achieving effective tissue incision for drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system simplifies the drainage process by using a single device to create an incision, dilate, and deploy a stent, minimizing invasiveness and reducing procedural complexity and time, while providing effective pseudocyst drainage.

Implementation Method 1

a cutting electrode positioned at the distal end of the catheter shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiofrequency heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a first heating electrode disposed about the inner tubular member of the catheter shaft and within an inner region of the inflatable balloon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiofrequency heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

a stent disposed about an outer surface of the inflatable balloon, the stent having a first collapsed configuration and a second expanded configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory polymer transformation: Shape Memory Polymer

Data Source

PatentUS12408919B2Catheter with radiofrequency cutting tip and heated balloon

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Methods for draining pseudocysts and stent delivery systems for use therein are disclosed. An illustrative system may include a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal end region thereof. A cutting electrode may be disposed at the distal end of the system and at least one heating electrode may be disposed within the inflatable balloon. A self expandable stent may be disposed about the inflatable balloon. The stent may be formed of a shape memory polymer. The inflation fluid may be heated within the balloon to facilitate expansion of the stent.