Introducer Sheath Braided Member Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Introducer sheaths used for percutaneous vascular access often kink, making them unusable and requiring time-consuming repositioning or alternative site access, as existing solutions like braided members are difficult to manufacture and prone to radial flaring.
Innovation Solution
An introducer sheath design featuring a braided member with intersecting wire segments bonded at intersections to prevent movement and flaring, combined with a coiled member and outer tube, facilitates easier assembly and manufacturing by stabilizing the braided member, allowing precise cutting and reducing kinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a braided member is used in the introducer sheath, then torqueability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to filament movement and radial flaring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by bonding the wire segments at their intersections before the braided member is assembled into the final device. This pre-bonding stabilizes the braided structure, preventing filament movement and radial flaring during subsequent manufacturing steps, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving good torqueability and maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the wire segment intersections from unbonded to bonded, creating a permanent structural modification that stabilizes the braided member. This parameter change (from movable to fixed intersections) maintains the torqueability benefits while eliminating the manufacturing difficulties associated with unstable braided structures
2Reliability
If the sheath wall thickness is increased, then kink resistance is improved, but the sheath becomes more difficult to navigate and less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a thin-walled sheath with a braided member reinforcement. The braided member acts as a structural reinforcement that provides kink resistance without requiring increased wall thickness, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the kink resistance function into a separate braided member component rather than relying solely on wall thickness. This allows the thin-walled sheath to remain flexible while the braided member provides the necessary structural support to prevent kinking
3Ease of manufacture
If the braided member ends are left unbonded, then manufacturing is simpler, but radial flaring occurs causing assembly difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by bonding the wire segments at the ends of the braided member before assembly operations. This pre-bonding prevents radial flaring during handling and assembly, making the manufacturing process simpler despite the added bonding step, as it eliminates rework and assembly failures
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
The solution enhances kink resistance and manufacturing ease, ensuring the sheath can be cut to length without flaring, improving torqueability and structural integrity, thus reducing procedural delays and complications.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the first and second wire segments may be bonded together at one or more of the intersections, for example, by melting the coating
Implementation Method 2
the outer tube may be heat shrunk between spaces of the coiled member and the braided member
Data Source
AI summary
The present embodiments provide an introducer sheath having a braided member and methods of manufacture. The introducer sheath comprises an inner tube, a braided member disposed over at least a portion of the inner tube, and an outer tube disposed over the inner tube and the braided member. In one embodiment, the braided member comprises a plurality of intersecting first and second wire segments at least partially covered with a coating. At least a portion of the first and second wire segments are bonded together at one or more intersections, for example, by melting the coating, to reduce movement of at least one of the first and second wire segments with respect to one another. Optionally, a coiled member having a plurality of turns may be disposed over a portion of the braided member and the inner tube.