Segmented Catheter Stiffener for Looping Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical catheters often become misaligned and blocked in serpentine body lumens, such as the colon, due to undesirable looping, which complicates advancement and requires manual correction, limiting control and efficiency during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A medical catheter with multiple flexible segments, each equipped with a loop sensor and an active stiffener that can be independently stiffened or unstiffened based on sensor feedback to prevent looping, allowing for controlled advancement and flexibility in navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire catheter is stiffened to prevent looping, then looping is reduced, but flexibility and navigability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelooping preventionVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple independently controllable segments, each with its own stiffening mechanism. This allows selective stiffening of specific segments to prevent looping while maintaining flexibility in other segments for navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different segments of the catheter have different mechanical properties (stiff or flexible) based on local requirements. The stiffening mechanism applies local quality changes to specific segments rather than the entire catheter, enabling looping prevention at critical locations while preserving flexibility elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a single stiffening mechanism is used for the entire catheter, then manufacturing is simple, but control precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter's mechanical properties are made dynamically adjustable through independent control of each segment's stiffening mechanism. This allows the catheter to transition between flexible and stiff states in different segments based on real-time navigation requirements, achieving precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the catheter remains flexible throughout advancement, then navigation is easier, but looping control is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation easeVSAvoidlooping control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The loop sensors continuously monitor for loop formation in advance, and the control system proactively activates stiffening in affected segments before significant looping occurs. This preliminary action prevents looping while maintaining overall navigation ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Loop sensors provide real-time feedback on catheter configuration, enabling the control system to adjust segmental stiffening dynamically. This feedback loop ensures looping is controlled precisely where and when it occurs while preserving flexibility elsewhere for continued navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution provides users with enhanced control over catheter advancement by stiffening only segments with undesirable loops, preventing further looping while maintaining flexibility in other segments, thereby improving navigation through complex body lumens.

Implementation Method 1

The first flexible catheter segment includes a first loop sensor and includes an active first catheter stiffener adapted to stiffen and un-stiffen substantially only the first flexible catheter segment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLoop detection:

Implementation Method 2

an active first catheter stiffener adapted to stiffen and un-stiffen substantially only the first flexible catheter segment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical stiffening:

Data Source

PatentUS7892166B2Medical instrument including a catheter having a catheter stiffener and method for using

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC

AI summary

A medical instrument including a medical catheter having a distal end insertable within a body lumen of a patient, having a first flexible catheter segment, and having a second flexible catheter segment located distal the first flexible catheter segment. The first flexible catheter segment includes a first loop sensor and includes an active first catheter stiffener adapted to stiffen and un-stiffen substantially only the first flexible catheter segment. The second flexible catheter segment includes a second loop sensor and includes an active second catheter stiffener adapted to stiffen and un-stiffen substantially only the second flexible catheter segment. A method for using the medical instrument is also presented.