Steerable Catheter Orientation Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steerable catheters and delivery tools face challenges in precisely orienting and anchoring implants within cardiac valves, particularly in maintaining the spatial orientation of the distal portion of the first catheter while allowing independent steering of the second catheter, which affects the accuracy and effectiveness of valve repair procedures.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component tubular system comprising steerable guiding catheters with a rotational locking mechanism, where a first catheter with a slit and a second catheter with a depressible pin allow for controlled relative spatial orientation, enabling the second catheter to be rotated and locked with respect to the first, maintaining the spatial orientation of the first catheter during steering and anchoring of the implant at the cardiac valve annulus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the second catheter is steered independently to achieve precise implant orientation, then the steering precision is improved, but the spatial orientation of the first catheter is distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into two independent steerable catheters (first catheter and second catheter), each capable of independent steering. The first catheter establishes the base spatial orientation while the second catheter provides independent steering for precise implant placement. This segmentation allows each catheter to perform its specific steering function without compromising the other's orientation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second catheter is nested within the lumen of the first catheter during advancement. The first catheter serves as an outer guiding structure that maintains stable spatial orientation, while the second catheter is advanced through its lumen to provide independent steering control. This nested configuration enables the second catheter to steer independently without distorting the first catheter's established orientation.
2Measurement precision
If a rotational locking mechanism is added to control relative spatial orientation, then the orientation control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational locking mechanism operates automatically through self-service principles. As the second catheter is advanced through the first catheter's lumen, the inner wall of the first catheter automatically engages with the second catheter to lock the relative spatial orientation. This automatic locking occurs without requiring external control systems or complex mechanical components, thereby controlling device complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A stand comprises a track. A first handle is mountable on the stand such that the stand supports the first handle. A first catheter defines a first lumen, and is coupled to the first handle. A second handle is mountable on the stand proximally from the first catheter in a manner in which the stand also supports the second handle. A second catheter defines a second lumen, and is coupled to the second handle. The second catheter is extendable through the first lumen. A third handle is slidably mountable on the track proximally from the second handle, such that the third handle is axially slidable along the track. A third catheter defines a third lumen, and is coupled to the third handle. A distal end of the third catheter is advanceable out of the second lumen. Other embodiments are also described.