Segmented Catheter Shaft for Torque and Flexibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter shaft designs for intravascular procedures lack flexibility and torque transmission variability along the length, limiting their effectiveness in various medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an elongate support member with varying cut patterns and materials along its length, forming a guidewire tube and inflation tube assembly that allows for adjustable flexibility and stiffness, enabling better torque transmission and procedural adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a uniform catheter shaft design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flexibility and torque transmission are insufficient for complex vascular navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is divided into multiple sections with different structural characteristics. The proximal portion has a first structural configuration while the distal portion has a second structural configuration, allowing each segment to be optimized for specific functions such as torque transmission in the proximal section and flexibility in the distal section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter shaft are given different structural properties to meet local requirements. The proximal portion is designed with characteristics optimized for torque transmission and structural support, while the distal portion is designed with characteristics optimized for flexibility and navigation through tortuous vasculature.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the elongate support member has uniform structure along its length, then manufacturing is simpler, but torque transmission and flexibility vary insufficiently along the catheter length
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate support member is segmented into different regions with distinct cut patterns. The proximal region features a first cut pattern while the distal region features a second cut pattern, enabling variable torque transmission and flexibility characteristics along the length of the support member.
Solution Approach 2:
The cut patterns in different portions of the elongate support member are specifically designed to provide local optimization. Certain sections have cut patterns that maximize torque transmission while other sections have patterns that enhance flexibility, matching the functional requirements of each region.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a balloon catheter that can comprise an elongate support member, an inflation tube, a guidewire tube and a balloon. The guidewire tube can define a guidewire port at its proximal end, and can extend from the port through an opening in a wall of the elongate support member and distally through a first lumen of the elongate support member, in some cases to the distal end of the catheter. The inflation tube can be disposed over a distal portion of the elongate support member, a portion of the guidewire tube, a portion of the inner assembly, or any combination thereof, forming a second lumen. The distal end of the balloon can be attached to the guidewire tube and the proximal end of the balloon can be attached to the inflation tube. The inside of the balloon can be in fluid communication with the first lumen and with the second lumen, allowing the balloon to be inflated and/or deflated. The elongate support member can also have cuts in it. For example, the elongate support member can have apertures formed in it, or apertures and spiral cuts.