Steerable Guide Catheter Handle for Precise Tip Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as catheters and introducers, require multiple handle configurations to accommodate different medical practitioners' preferences, leading to inefficiencies in maneuvering through the vasculature and potential patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A steerable guide catheter with a deflectable distal end and tensioning lines controlled by actuators on a handle, allowing precise steering and deflection of the catheter tip in multiple planes, eliminating the need for on-board steering mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple handle configurations are used to accommodate different practitioner preferences, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed with multi-functional actuators that can perform different steering functions. The first actuator controls both the first tensioning line (for first plane deflection) and the second tensioning line (for second plane deflection), allowing a single handle configuration to accommodate multiple practitioner preferences and operational needs without requiring multiple specialized handles.
2Ease of operation
If on-board steering mechanisms are added to the catheter, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering functionality is extracted from the catheter body and relocated to the handle. The handle contains the actuators and tensioning lines that control catheter deflection, eliminating the need for complex on-board steering mechanisms within the catheter itself. This separation simplifies the catheter design while maintaining full steering capability through the external handle control system.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter is made more flexible to maneuver through vasculature, then ease of operation is improved, but stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple segments with different flexibility characteristics. The catheter body is made flexible to navigate vasculature, while the distal end portion can be selectively deflected in controlled manner. The tensioning lines provide segmented control over different portions of the catheter, allowing flexible navigation while maintaining overall structural stability and positional control.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible guide tube having a deflectable distal end is disclosed with at least first and second tensioning lines coupled to a deflectable distal end of the flexible guide tube. The first tensioning line is configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a first direction and the second tensioning line is configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. A handle is coupled to flexible tube, the handle having a medial portion with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube, a first actuator disposed proximal the medial section, and a second actuator disposed distal the medial section.