Steerable Catheter Shaft with Segmented Steering Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheter devices are limited in their ability to deflect or bend, making it difficult to accurately position medical devices within bodily cavities, and may kink or require a large diameter, which reduces their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A medical system with an elongate shaft member featuring a plurality of steering lines and steering rings, allowing for controlled bending and deflection through the movement of these lines, with different materials and configurations to enhance bendability and positioning within anatomical features while maintaining a suitable diameter for percutaneous delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional catheter devices are used with limited deflection capability, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to accurately position medical devices within bodily cavities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter shaft is divided into multiple steerable sections, each with its own steering lines and control mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent control of different segments to achieve complex positioning paths while maintaining overall system manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates dynamic steering capabilities through tensioning and releasing steering lines that can actively adjust the deflection angle of each segment during deployment, enabling real-time positioning adjustments rather than fixed geometric constraints
2Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter is designed with large deflection capability, then positioning flexibility improves, but the catheter may kink or require a large longitudinal diameter which deteriorates percutaneous delivery feasibility
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the catheter into multiple steerable segments rather than relying on a single large-deflection section, each segment can achieve moderate deflection angles that stay within safe operational limits, preventing cumulative kinking while maintaining overall flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs flexible shaft construction with appropriate material selection and wall thickness design that allows controlled bending within safe angles while maintaining structural integrity and preventing kinking even when multiple segments are deflected
3Measurement precision
If the catheter requires large longitudinal diameter to achieve sufficient deflection, then positioning capability improves, but the suitability for percutaneous delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of achieving positioning capability through increased diameter, the invention uses multiple steering lines arranged in different angular orientations around the catheter axis, enabling three-dimensional positioning control while maintaining a small cross-sectional diameter suitable for percutaneous delivery
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 system enables improved positioning and flexibility of medical devices within bodily cavities, reducing the risk of kinking and maintaining a suitable diameter for minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the steering lines of the plurality of steering lines are operable to cause bending of the elongate shaft member via movement of at least one of the steering lines
Data Source
AI summary
Medical systems are disclosed which may include an elongate shaft member and a plurality of steering lines operable to cause bending of the elongate shaft member via movement of at least one of the steering lines. A respective second end portion of a first proximal steering line may terminate at a first proximal termination portion of the elongate shaft member, and a respective second end portion of the first distal steering line may terminate at a first distal termination portion of the elongate shaft member. The elongate shaft member may be formed of materials of different hardness to provide preferential bending in desired directions.