Serpentine Cutting Blade Balloon Expansion Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting balloon blades are rigid, leading to stress and potential delamination during balloon expansion, particularly in larger diameter and longer balloons, limiting their flexibility and compatibility with vessel tortuosity.
Innovation Solution
A serpentine-shaped cutting blade with undulating regions that extend radially and then back toward the balloon surface, allowing for flexibility and reduced stress during balloon expansion, with different cross-sectional shapes and adhesive engagement to maintain contact with the balloon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid blades are used on cutting balloons, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but stress and delamination occur during balloon expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is designed with a serpentine configuration that allows it to dynamically change shape during balloon expansion. The undulating pattern enables the blade to elongate and deform in sync with the balloon, transforming from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adaptive structure that maintains cutting effectiveness while preventing delamination
Solution Approach 2:
The blade's physical parameters are changed by introducing undulations that alter its mechanical properties. The serpentine geometry changes the blade's effective length, flexibility, and stress distribution characteristics, allowing it to accommodate balloon expansion without excessive stress while maintaining sufficient rigidity for cutting
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid blades are used on cutting balloons, then cutting precision is improved, but flexibility through tortuous vessels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The serpentine blade configuration provides dynamic flexibility that allows the blade to adapt to tortuous vessel geometries. The undulating structure can bend and flex as the balloon navigates through curved vessels, while the blade maintains its cutting orientation and precision through the deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The serpentine blade introduces controlled curvatures and undulations along its length, replacing straight rigid lines with curved flexible paths. This curvature allows the blade to follow the contours of tortuous vessels while maintaining cutting effectiveness through the undulating peaks that contact the vessel wall
3Reliability
If stiff balloon materials are used, then blade delamination is reduced, but flexibility and ease of advancement is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The blade's serpentine geometry changes the stress parameters at the blade-balloon interface. By distributing stresses through the undulating structure and allowing controlled deformation, the system achieves reliable adhesion without requiring excessively stiff balloon materials, thereby maintaining ease of advancement
Data Source
AI summary
A system for treatment of a vessel lesion comprises an expandable balloon and at least one cutting blade engaged to an exterior surface of the balloon. At least a portion of the cutting blade has a substantially serpentine configuration defined by a plurality of interconnected peaks and troughs wherein each trough is in closer proximity to the balloon than each peak.