Segmented Microcatheter Navigating Tortuous Anatomy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheters are inadequate for improving medical procedure outcomes due to their inability to navigate tortuous anatomy and provide accurate information signals to medical systems for precise biological tissue analysis and treatment.

Innovation Solution

A microcatheter with a movable geometry designed to navigate tortuous anatomy and emit information signals to medical systems, allowing for improved positioning and data collection near biological tissues, enhancing the quality of medical images and procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional catheters are used, then the device structure is simple, but the catheter cannot navigate tortuous anatomy and provide accurate information signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation signal qualityVSAvoidcatheter geometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple segments that can independently flex and move, allowing it to navigate tortuous anatomy while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation enables the catheter to adapt to complex vessel paths without compromising signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter geometry is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing it to change shape and configuration as it navigates through tortuous anatomy. This dynamic capability enables the catheter to maintain optimal positioning for signal emission while adapting to varying anatomical paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the catheter is made longer to reach deeper tissues, then the reach is improved, but the ability to navigate tortuous anatomy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter lengthVSAvoidnavigation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter employs flexible materials and thin-walled structures that allow bending and conforming to tortuous anatomical paths. This flexibility enables long catheters to navigate complex vessel networks while maintaining the ability to reach deep tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If the catheter tip is positioned closer to biological tissue, then the information signal quality is improved, but the risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation signal qualityVSAvoidtissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter tip is designed with specialized local properties including rounded geometries and lubricious coatings that reduce tissue trauma while maintaining close proximity for signal emission. The distal end features unique characteristics that differentiate it from the shaft, optimizing both signal quality and tissue compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter incorporates protective features such as rounded tip geometries and lubricious coatings that prevent tissue damage before it occurs. These preemptive protective measures allow the catheter to be positioned close to biological tissue without causing harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20230355922A1microcatheter

Publication Date: 2023.11.09 BOSTON SCI MEDICAL DEVICE LTD

AI summary

A microcatheter configured to have a geometry that is movable along a tortuous anatomy of the patient; and be positionable, at least in part, proximate to biological tissue of a patient; and emit an information signal, related to the biological tissue, to a medical system so that the medical system, in use, receives the information signal from the microcatheter and processes, in use, the information signal received from the microcatheter.