Spring-Arm Torque Assembly for One-Handed Catheter Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endovascular procedures face challenges with the tedious and time-consuming process of removing and replacing torque devices and catheters, leading to potential loss of guidewire position and increased risk of medical complications, especially during complex procedures.
Innovation Solution
A torque device that interconnects with a catheter, allowing for simultaneous movement along a guidewire and grip of the guide wire, with features such as a spring-loaded torque device that can grip the guide wire, and the guide wire, facilitating one-handed operation and reducing the need for separate removal and placement of the torque device and catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the torque device and catheter are removed and replaced separately using traditional methods, then the operator can perform catheter exchanges, but the procedure becomes tedious and time-consuming, increasing the risk of guidewire position loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the torque device and catheter into a single integrated assembly where the catheter is pre-mounted on the torque device. This merging eliminates the need for separate removal and replacement operations, allowing the operator to exchange both components simultaneously as one unit, thereby reducing procedural time and the risk of guidewire position loss during complex catheter exchanges
2Adaptability or versatility
If the torque device is removed separately before catheter exchange, then the catheter can be exchanged, but the process requires multiple steps and increases procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the catheter mounting structure directly onto the torque device, the invention allows both components to be exchanged together as a single assembly. This reduces the number of procedural steps from multiple separate operations (remove torque device, exchange catheter, remount torque device) to a single simultaneous exchange operation, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining full catheter exchange capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional separate removal methods are used, then the torque device and catheter can be exchanged, but the risk of medical complications increases due to repeated manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design where the catheter is pre-mounted on the torque device allows both components to be exchanged simultaneously as one unit. This reduces the number of manipulative steps and minimizes the risk of guidewire position loss or other complications during exchange, thereby improving procedural safety while maintaining the necessary catheter exchange function
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 torque device enables efficient navigation of guidewire and catheterization of guidewire, and the guidewire, and the guidewire, with reduced risk of guidewire loss and decreased procedural time, thus improving the efficiency and safety of endovascular procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arm having a first end section extending from the main body section and a second end section opposite the first end section and biased away from the main body section
Data Source
AI summary
A torque device useable in some embodiments in an endovascular procedure. The torque device is connectable to catheter end to provide an interlocked torque-device/catheter that can be mounted to, and slid over, a guidewire as a unit. A spring arm extends from a main body section of the torque device and can be depressed into the main body section so that the spring arm and main body section can be secured in position with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the depressed spring arm and main body section are mountable to an end of a catheter to secure them in position and to the catheter. Alternatively, the torque device can be mounted to a guide wire by depressing the spring arm, and releasing the spring arm can cause torque device to grip the guide wire and allow the operator to turn or move the torque device and gripped guide wire. Some embodiments provide a torque device through which material may be injected into a catheter to which the torque device is connected.