Rotatable Core Imaging Catheter With Localized Tip Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive imaging catheters face limitations in size and functionality due to the restricted inner diameter of the sheath, which hinders the inclusion of larger imaging assemblies and other functional components, and conventional assembly methods risk damaging sensitive components with excessive heat.
Innovation Solution
The imaging probe design allows a larger imaging assembly by bonding a distal tip to the sheath using localized thermal methods, such as heat shrink and laser welding, with a rigid reinforcement member, enabling a larger imaging assembly and additional functional components like pose sensors and fiber optics, while minimizing collateral heat damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the inner diameter of the sheath is increased to accommodate larger imaging assemblies, then the imaging assembly size can be increased, but the minimally invasive profile is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct sections with different inner diameters: a proximal section with a first inner diameter and a distal section with a second inner diameter. This segmentation allows the proximal section to have a smaller diameter for minimally invasive insertion while the distal section has a larger diameter to accommodate the imaging assembly, resolving the contradiction between small profile and large imaging assembly size.
2Strength
If conventional thermal bonding methods are used to bond the distal tip to the sheath, then the bonding strength is sufficient, but excessive heat may damage sensitive components
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding process applies heat locally and selectively to specific bonding regions between the distal tip and sheath, rather than heating the entire component. This localized thermal application ensures sufficient bonding strength at the bonding interfaces while minimizing heat exposure to sensitive components located in other areas of the catheter.
3Strength
If the sheath wall thickness is increased to provide structural support, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the inner diameter is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is segmented into proximal and distal sections with different wall thickness characteristics. The proximal section has greater wall thickness to provide structural support and maintain shape, while the distal section has reduced wall thickness to maximize the inner diameter volume for accommodating imaging assemblies and other functional components.
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
This design enables a larger imaging assembly and additional functional components, improving image quality and catheter maneuverability, while maintaining a minimally invasive profile and reducing heat-induced damage to sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
bonding a distal tip to the sheath using localized thermal methods, such as heat shrink and laser welding
Implementation Method 2
bonding a distal tip to the sheath using localized thermal methods, such as heat shrink and laser welding
Implementation Method 3
with a rigid reinforcement member, enabling a larger imaging assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for an imaging probe with a rotatable core which allows for rotating imaging assembly that is larger in diameter than the lumen in which the rotatable core resides, as well as methods to construct said probes. The imaging probes are generally elongate flexible imaging catheters for use in cardiovascular procedures. The ability to have a smaller lumen to hold the rotatable core simplifies the inclusion of other functional components to the catheter and may improve the quality of the images produced.