Sinus Dilation Catheter Rigid Guide Movable Shaft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sinusitis, particularly chronic and recurrent forms, is often resistant to medical therapy due to obstructed sinus cavities and compromised drainage pathways, necessitating effective dilation of these pathways to restore mucous transport and ventilation.

Innovation Solution

A balloon dilation catheter with a rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon is used to position and inflate the balloon across the sinus ostium or infundibulum, remodeling the drainage pathways to improve sinus drainage and ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a balloon dilation catheter is used to dilate sinus passageways, then sinus drainage and ventilation are improved, but the complexity of the procedure and device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesinus drainage functionVSAvoidcatheter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid inner guide member for positioning, a movable shaft for balloon advancement, and an inflatable balloon for dilation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability while managing complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid inner guide member acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the placement and positioning of the flexible shaft and balloon. This intermediary component provides structural support and guidance, enabling the softer balloon to reach precise locations without compromising the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the balloon is inflated to dilate the sinus ostium, then the drainage pathway is remodeled, but the risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage pathway patencyVSAvoidmucosal tissue injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid inner guide member serves as a protective cushioning element that is positioned beforehand to support the balloon during inflation. This pre-positioned structural element distributes the inflation forces more evenly, reducing the risk of focal tissue damage while maintaining effective drainage pathway remodeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows control over inflation parameters such as pressure and volume, enabling gradual and controlled dilation. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective pathway patency while minimizing excessive forces that could cause mucosal tissue injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the catheter is designed with a rigid inner guide member, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the device becomes less adaptable to different anatomical variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveostium positioning accuracyVSAvoidanatomical variation accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates dynamic elements including a movable shaft that can be advanced and retracted along the rigid guide member, and an inflatable balloon that can change volume. This dynamic design allows the same rigid positioning structure to accommodate different anatomical variations through controlled movement and expansion of the softer components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable shaft is nested within the rigid inner guide member, allowing the shaft to be advanced distally along the guide's established path. This nesting arrangement provides precise positioning through the rigid guide while the movable shaft offers flexibility to adapt to anatomical variations in the sinus ostium region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 catheter effectively dilates sinus passageways, restoring mucous transport and ventilation, thereby addressing chronic and recurrent sinusitis by preserving functional mucosal tissue and improving sinus health.

Implementation Method 1

inflating the balloon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBalloon inflation:

Implementation Method 2

a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Data Source

PatentUS20250345577A1Sinus Dilation Catheter

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A balloon dilation catheter includes a substantially rigid inner guide member and a movable shaft coupled to a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. To treat a sinus cavity of a subject using the balloon dilation the substantially rigid inner guide member is advanced into a drainage pathway of the sinus (e.g., frontal recess or maxillary sinus) of the subject via a nasal passageway. The shaft and balloon are advanced in a distal direction over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place the balloon in the drainage pathway. The balloon is inflated to expand or otherwise remodel the drainage pathway.