Steerable Catheter Segmented Support for Torque and Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rapid exchange catheters are not adapted for use with steerable catheters that require torque transmission, as cutting the wire braid to remove the guidewire leads to unraveling or fraying, compromising the catheter's construction and performance.
Innovation Solution
A steerable catheter with a flexible support member featuring aligned rings joined by hinges and a longitudinally extending slot aligned with the guidewire lumen, allowing for torque transfer and easy guidewire removal without compromising the catheter's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wire braid is cut to remove the guidewire in a rapid exchange catheter, then the guidewire can be removed for catheter exchange, but the wire braid becomes unraveled or frayed compromising the catheter construction and performance
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into multiple discrete segments or rings that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the guidewire to be removed through the spaces between segments without cutting the support member structure, thus maintaining construction integrity while enabling guidewire removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member incorporates dynamic elements such as expandable balloons or movable segments that can change configuration. During guidewire removal, these dynamic elements can expand or move apart to accommodate the guidewire extraction path, then return to their original configuration to maintain catheter performance.
2Productivity
If a wire braid is cut to enable rapid exchange, then catheter exchange becomes efficient, but torque transmission capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is segmented into multiple rings or sections that can move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the guidewire to pass through inter-segment spaces during rapid exchange, while the segments themselves maintain the continuous structure needed for torque transmission when in their normal configured state.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member uses dynamic structures such as expandable balloons or movable segments that temporarily change configuration during guidewire removal but return to their torque-transmitting configuration during normal operation, thus maintaining both rapid exchange capability and torque transmission.
3Reliability
If a long guidewire is used to maintain handle on proximal end during catheter exchange, then guidewire position is maintained, but the guidewire becomes cumbersome to manipulate and clutters the operating room
Solution Approach 1:
The guidewire extraction path is integrated into the catheter structure itself through the movable support member segments or expandable balloon mechanism. This allows the guidewire to be removed and reinserted through the catheter without requiring excessive guidewire length to maintain handling, thus reducing clutter while maintaining position control.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device for advancement over a guidewire includes a number of lumens therein including a working channel lumen, one or more control wire lumens, and a guidewire lumen. A flexible support within the device includes number of interlocking elements that resist longitudinal compression, transfer rotational torque, and can bend side to side. The flexible support also includes a slot that is aligned with the guidewire lumen. An outer jacket includes a perforation, slot, slit, or thinned area that is aligned with the slot in the support member and the guidewire lumen in order to allow a device such as a guidewire to be removed from the guidewire lumen and through the support member.