Steerable Catheter Distal End With Planarity-Controlled Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steerable catheters face challenges in navigating tortuous vasculature due to limited luminal space and inadequate deflection control, particularly when requiring large diameter lumens for therapeutic or diagnostic procedures.

Innovation Solution

The steerable catheter incorporates a planarity member with a high elastic modulus, eccentrically located deflection lumens, and pull wires to enable bi-directional deflection, maintaining planarity and accommodating large diameter lumens, while inhibiting out-of-plane deflection and torsional oscillations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a steerable section with pull wires is added to navigate tortuous vasculature, then navigation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pull wires are nested within the catheter shaft structure, with each pull wire contained in its own lumen. The planarity member is integrated into the catheter wall, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides steerable functionality without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The steerable section is segmented into discrete components including the catheter shaft, planarity member, and multiple pull wires. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex steerable function into manageable parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If large diameter lumens are incorporated for therapeutic elements, then therapeutic capability is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminal spaceVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates a composite structure with a planarity member made of a material with high elastic modulus (at least 20,000 psi) integrated into the catheter wall. This composite construction provides the necessary structural stability and rigidity to maintain catheter shape and prevent collapse, even when large diameter lumens are present for therapeutic element passage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If the steerable section is made more flexible to navigate tortuous paths, then navigation capability is improved, but deflection control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoiddeflection control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The planarity member is positioned specifically within the steerable section to provide localized rigidity where needed. This creates a gradient of flexibility along the catheter length, with the steerable section having controlled flexibility for navigation while maintaining precision deflection control through the pull wire mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This design enhances navigation through vasculature by allowing controlled deflection and maintaining luminal space for therapeutic elements, improving procedural efficacy and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The steerable section includes one or more planarity members that extend along the steerable section and has a material that has a higher elastic modulus relative to the catheter shaft assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic modulus: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The deflection lumen is offset from the one or more planarity members. The pull wire is disposed within the deflection lumen and is operable to induce deflection of the steerable section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force transmission: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250339645A1Deflectable Catheter Distal End

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 ST JUDE MEDICAL CARDILOGY DIV INC

AI summary

Described is a steerable catheter assembly including an elongated catheter shaft with a steerable section that can be articulated to navigate the catheter shaft through a tortuous path through a patient's vasculature. The steerable section includes a planarity member(s) disposed within and fixedly attached (e.g., row of holes extending along a length of the planarity member). The planarity member extend along the centerline of the steerable section. The planarity member has a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the centerline. The cross-sectional area has a maximum principal area moment of inertia of at least 5 times a minimum principal area moment of inertia. The catheter shaft also includes a deflection lumen offset from the planarity member, and a pull wire disposed within the deflection lumen and operable to induce deflection of the elongated catheter shaft section.