Rigidizable Catheter Structure for Navigation and Tool Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical devices, such as catheters and endoscopes, often face challenges in navigating tortuous anatomical pathways due to their rigidity or flexibility, leading to difficulties in accessing difficult-to-reach anatomical locations and potential damage to tissues.

Innovation Solution

Development of rigidizable apparatuses that can transition between flexible and rigid configurations using mechanisms like positive and negative pressure, phase change materials, magnetic materials, electrostatics, and nitinol actuation, incorporating knit structures, bladders, and compression layers to control rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the device is made rigid to support tools and maintain shape, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the device cannot navigate tortuous anatomical pathways

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidnavigability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a dynamic structure that can transition between rigid and flexible states. A compression layer (bladder) can be pressurized to compress a rigidizing layer (such as a braid or knit structure), transforming the device from a flexible state suitable for navigation to a rigid state capable of supporting tools and maintaining shape during procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rigidity of the device is controlled by changing physical parameters - specifically, the pressure applied to the compression layer. By adjusting the pressure, the device can dynamically modify its mechanical properties to match the requirements of different operational phases (navigation vs. tool support).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the device is made flexible to navigate tortuous pathways, then navigability is improved, but the device cannot support additional tools or maintain stable position

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenavigabilityVSAvoidtool support capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If highly flexible tubes are used to navigate tortuous passages, then navigability is improved, but the tubes may buckle, prolapse, or loop

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovenavigabilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes a composite structure combining a flexible tube with a rigidizing layer (braid, knit, or woven structure) and a compression layer. This composite design allows the device to exhibit both flexible and rigid characteristics depending on the activation state of the compression layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If highly rigid tubes are used to support tools and maintain shape, then structural strength is improved, but the device causes tissue damage when forced through anatomical pathways

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Object-affected harmful factors

If the device walls are made thinner to reduce trauma, then tissue damage is reduced, but the device loses structural strength and rigidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 safe and precise access to complex anatomical locations by providing a wider range of flexibility and stiffness, enhancing manufacturability, and supporting additional tools, while minimizing tissue damage.

Implementation Method 1

a compression layer configured to be pushed against the rigidizing layer by a pressure differential from the inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

nitinol actuation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNitinol actuation: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

phase change materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20260041888A1Dynamic rigidization methods and apparatuses

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 NEPTUNE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Described herein are rigidizable apparatuses (e.g., devices, systems, etc.) that may be controlled. e.g., such as by the application of positive and/or negative pressure, to transition between rigid and flexible configurations. These apparatuses may be configured to transition between a highly flexible configuration in which the elongate device may be flexible or floppy and a highly rigid (or selectively rigid) configuration that is many times more rigid than the flexible configuration.