Robotic Multi-Catheter Access for Supra-Aortic Neurovascular Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurovascular procedures face challenges such as limited availability of trained interventionalists, complex setup requirements, and difficulties in achieving supra-aortic access, especially in Type III arches, which hinder the delivery of neurovascular care and require time-consuming system adaptations.
Innovation Solution
A robotic control system with hubs for guidewire, guide catheter, and access catheter, allowing independent axial and rotational adjustments, along with lateral deflection, to facilitate supra-aortic access and distal advancement of procedure catheters for neurovascular treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual supra-aortic access is attempted, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the difficulty and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical catheter manipulation with a robotic system that uses magnetic fields to control catheter position and orientation. The robotic control system with magnetic actuators substitutes the surgeon's hands for direct mechanical manipulation, enabling more precise and less time-consuming access to supra-aortic vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a robotic control system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the catheter. This intermediary system translates surgeon intentions into precise catheter movements through magnetic coupling, reducing the complexity and time of direct manual manipulation while maintaining surgical control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coaxial catheters are used for neurovascular procedures, then the required functions can be achieved, but the complexity of control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic control system provides a universal control interface that can manipulate multiple different types of catheters and guidewires through a single integrated system. The system can adapt to various neurovascular procedure requirements by controlling different catheter configurations without requiring separate control mechanisms for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple control functions (axial positioning, rotational control, lateral deflection) into a single robotic control system that manages all catheters simultaneously. This merging of control functions reduces the overall complexity compared to managing each catheter independently through separate manual controls.
3Measurement precision
If precise manual control of catheters is attempted, then procedural accuracy can be achieved, but the physical demand on the surgeon increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system replaces the surgeon's manual mechanical control with automated magnetic actuation. The system uses magnetic fields to achieve precise catheter positioning without requiring the surgeon to physically manipulate multiple long, tortuous catheters, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing physical burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic control system provides dynamic, real-time adjustment of catheter positions and orientations through magnetic actuators. This dynamic control capability allows for precise positioning that can be continuously adjusted during the procedure, achieving high accuracy without the sustained physical effort required for manual control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If guidewire and access catheter removal is performed to add procedure catheter, then the correct equipment can be used for treatment, but the procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic control system is configured to pre-position the procedure catheter through the guide catheter before removing the access catheter. This preliminary action allows for seamless transition and reduces the time required for catheter exchange, as the system is already prepared to deploy the treatment catheter once the access catheter is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system maintains continuous control over the catheter stack during the exchange process. The procedure catheter is advanced through the guide catheter while the robotic system maintains positioning control, ensuring continuous useful action rather than interrupting the procedure for manual reconfiguration.
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 enhances the availability and efficiency of neurovascular procedures by enabling precise robotic control over multiple catheters, reducing setup time, and allowing for more distal neurovascular interventions.
Implementation Method 1
The drive magnets may each be independently axially movably carried by a support table. The driven magnet on each of a guidewire hub, an access catheter hub and a guide catheter hub may be configured to cooperate with corresponding drive magnets such that the driven magnet moves in response to movement of the corresponding drive magnet.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing a neurovascular procedure includes providing a multi-catheter assembly including an access catheter, a guide catheter, and a procedure catheter, coupling the assembly to a robotic drive system, driving the assembly to achieve supra-aortic access, and driving a subset of the assembly to a neurovascular site. The subset includes the guide catheter and the procedure catheter. The method further includes proximally removing the access catheter and performing a neurovascular procedure using the procedure catheter.