Segmented Microcatheter Outer Jacket for Vascular Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcatheters face challenges in pushability and trackability, particularly in navigating tortuous vascular paths, due to difficulties in transmitting force to the distal end without kinking.
Innovation Solution
A microcatheter design featuring a coil over an inner liner, covered with outer jacket segments that decrease in durometer towards the distal end, with angled ends for bonding and a hydrophilic coating, enhancing flexibility and axial strength to improve pushability and trackability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a microcatheter is designed with uniform flexibility and diameter, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to navigate tortuous vasculature and transmit force to the distal end is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The microcatheter is divided into multiple segments with varying durometer values. The outer jacket comprises a proximal segment with higher durometer (greater axial strength) and a distal segment with lower durometer (greater flexibility). This segmentation allows the catheter to maintain structural integrity during advancement while enabling the distal tip to navigate tortuous vasculature effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the microcatheter are assigned different mechanical properties to fulfill specific functional requirements. The proximal portion has higher durometer for strength and force transmission, while the distal portion has lower durometer for flexibility and navigation. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and operational performance.
2Ease of operation
If the distal end of the microcatheter is made highly flexible to navigate tortuous paths, then trackability improves, but the ability to transmit pushing force from the proximal end deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer jacket is segmented into proximal and distal portions with different durometer values. The proximal segment maintains higher durometer to provide axial strength for force transmission, while the distal segment uses lower durometer material to enable flexibility for navigating tortuous vasculature. This segmentation allows both force transmission and trackability to be optimized in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcatheter employs local quality by assigning different mechanical properties to different regions. The proximal region has higher durometer for force transmission capability, while the distal region has lower durometer for trackability. This spatial variation in material properties simultaneously achieves both force transmission and navigation capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A microcatheter comprises a coil formed over an inner liner. The coil is covered with a series of outer jacket segments that decrease in durometer relative to proximally adjacent segments. Preferably, these segments have angled ends that allow each segment to be inserted and bonded into the segment prior to it. The outer jacket ultimately terminates at a distal of the microcatheter with the segment having the lowest durometer.