Segmented Catheter Balloon Reinforcement for Flexibility and Pressure Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Balloon catheters face challenges in achieving sufficient flexibility and high-pressure resistance due to reinforcement members that are integrally fixed to the balloon, limiting their ability to navigate complex body lumens effectively.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring a balloon with an inner and outer elastic layer and a tubular net-shaped reinforcement member between them, allowing the reinforcement member to move freely, with distinct sleeves having different inflated diameters and friction coefficients to maintain flexibility and control inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reinforcement member is integrally fixed to the balloon wall, then high-pressure resistance and low compliance properties are achieved, but the flexibility and degree of freedom of movement are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is divided into multiple independent segments (first reinforcement member and second reinforcement member) that can move relative to each other and to the balloon wall. This segmentation allows each segment to provide structural support while maintaining overall flexibility of the balloon system.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to move relative to the balloon wall during inflation and deflation cycles. This dynamic capability enables the reinforcement member to adapt to changing pressure conditions while maintaining balloon flexibility for navigating body lumens.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the reinforcement member is made rigid to prevent excessive balloon widening, then low compliance properties are achieved, but the ability to follow bending of body lumen is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is segmented into multiple sections that can independently move and articulate. This allows the balloon to bend and follow the contour of body lumens while the segmented reinforcement maintains balloon shape control during inflation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member is designed as a flexible structure that can bend and deform to follow the contour of body lumens. The flexible design allows the balloon to navigate complex anatomical paths while the reinforcement provides sufficient structural support to maintain desired balloon shape during inflation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the reinforcement member allows free movement to improve flexibility, then crossability is enhanced, but high-pressure resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other, enhancing flexibility for navigating body lumens. Despite this movement capability, each segment maintains structural integrity to provide high-pressure resistance when the balloon is inflated.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member is constructed using composite materials that combine high strength-to-weight ratio properties with flexibility. This allows the reinforcement structure to move freely for improved crossability while maintaining sufficient strength to resist high inflation pressures.
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 design enhances the balloon's flexibility and crossability within meandering body lumens while providing high-pressure resistance and low compliance properties, allowing for effective lesion treatment with improved positioning and reduced positional misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
an outer layer (26) having elastic stretching properties
Implementation Method 2
a friction coefficient of the second sleeve (38) of the reinforcement member (28) may be greater than a friction coefficient of the first sleeve (37) of the reinforcement member (28), with respect to the inner layer (24) or the outer layer (26) of the balloon (14)
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter includes a balloon that has an inner layer and an outer layer having elastic stretching properties, having tubular shapes, and being able to be inflated and deflated in response to a change of internal pressure; and a tubular net-shaped reinforcement member that is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer such that at least a part thereof is movable with respect to the balloon. The reinforcement member has a first sleeve, and second sleeves which respectively surround both end portions of the first sleeve in an axial direction. A maximally inflated diameter of the second sleeve is set so as to be smaller than a maximally inflated diameter of the first sleeve.