Steerable Catheter Braided Actuator MRI Compatibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steerable medical devices, such as catheters, require metal wire actuators welded to a metal pull ring, limiting material choices and preventing their use in MRI-compatible environments due to metal interference.

Innovation Solution

A steerable medical device featuring braided actuators integrated into a polymeric braid sheath surrounding a main shaft, secured with a retaining ring and tension mechanism, eliminating the need for welding and allowing non-metallic materials, ensuring MRI compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal wire actuators are welded to a metal pull ring, then the structural strength and reliability of the actuator connection is improved, but the material choice is limited to metals or metal alloys and MRI compatibility is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator connection strengthVSAvoidmaterial choice flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional metal-to-metal welded connection with a polymeric actuator system that uses mechanical interlocking and integration methods. The actuator is formed as an integral part of the catheter structure through extrusion or molding processes, eliminating the need for welding while enabling non-metallic materials that are MRI compatible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite material construction where polymeric actuators are integrated with polymeric catheter components. This composite approach allows the use of non-metallic materials throughout, providing both structural integrity and MRI compatibility, while avoiding the limitations of metal-only constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If metal wire actuators are welded to a metal pull ring, then the structural strength of the actuator connection is improved, but MRI compatibility is prevented due to metal interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator connection strengthVSAvoidmetal interference with MRI

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional metal-to-metal welded connection with a polymeric actuator system that uses mechanical interlocking and integration methods. The actuator is formed as an integral part of the catheter structure through extrusion or molding processes, eliminating the need for welding while enabling non-metallic materials that are MRI compatible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from metal to polymeric materials for the actuator and associated components. This parameter change maintains the functional requirements for structural strength and connection reliability while eliminating the harmful magnetic interference that would prevent MRI compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional metal actuators are used, then the steering mechanism reliability is improved, but the device cannot be used in MRI environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering mechanism reliabilityVSAvoidMRI environment compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional metal-to-metal welded connection with a polymeric actuator system that uses mechanical interlocking and integration methods. The actuator is formed as an integral part of the catheter structure through extrusion or molding processes, eliminating the need for welding while enabling non-metallic materials that are MRI compatible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs composite material construction where polymeric actuators are integrated with polymeric catheter components. This composite approach allows the use of non-metallic materials throughout, providing both structural integrity and MRI compatibility, while avoiding the limitations of metal-only constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11931529B2Steerable catheter

Publication Date: 2024.03.19 ARAN BIOMEDICAL TEORANTA LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a steerable medical or surgical device, in particular a steerable catheter having one or more actuators which may be integrated into a catheter without the need for welding the actuator to the catheter, the device comprising a main shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one braided actuator coupled to the main shaft at or adjacent the distal end.