Steerable Expandable Aspiration Catheter Tip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aspiration catheters cannot simultaneously steer and expand their tips, limiting their ability to effectively remove thrombi by applying maximum aspiration force, as they require complex configurations and increased size to achieve both functions.

Innovation Solution

A steerable and expandable aspiration catheter that uses a mechanism where the distal tip is steered by pulling displacement of wires or controlled by magnetic torque, allowing simultaneous steering and expansion of the tip diameter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional aspiration catheter uses a simple structure, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot simultaneously steer and expand the tip to apply maximum aspiration force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous steering and expansion capabilityVSAvoidcatheter configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines steering and expansion functions into a single integrated catheter tip structure. The tip includes multiple struts that can simultaneously perform steering movements and expansion movements, eliminating the need for separate steering and expansion mechanisms. This merging of functions allows the catheter to achieve both steering and expansion capabilities while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter tip is designed as a multi-functional component that can perform multiple operations. The struts are configured to enable both steering (changing the direction of the tip) and expansion (increasing the diameter of the tip) functions within a single structure. This multi-functionality allows the catheter to adapt to different procedural requirements without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the catheter tip diameter is increased to improve aspiration efficiency, then the contact area with thrombus increases, but the catheter cannot be steered to align with the vascular axis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus aspiration efficiencyVSAvoidtip alignment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter tip is designed with dynamic struts that can change their configuration during the procedure. The struts can be positioned to enable steering movements for aligning the tip with the vascular axis, and then expanded to increase the tip diameter for improved aspiration efficiency. This dynamic adaptability allows the catheter to optimize both alignment and aspiration performance during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter uses separate mechanisms for steering and expansion, then both functions can be achieved, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering and expansion functionsVSAvoidcatheter size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the steering and expansion mechanisms into a single integrated structure. The struts serve dual purposes: they enable steering by changing the tip direction and enable expansion by increasing the tip diameter. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate mechanisms, thereby reducing the overall catheter size while maintaining both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances thrombus aspiration efficiency by maintaining a larger contact area and applying greater aspiration force, stabilizing the catheter in narrow blood vessels and reducing thrombus resection time while increasing success rates.

Implementation Method 1

A steerable and expandable aspiration catheter may control a direction of its tip by a magnetic torque of a magnetic body positioned at an end of the tip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic torque: Torque

Implementation Method 2

simultaneously expand the tip by adjusting a strength of a magnetic field of the magnetic body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20240050113A1Steerable and expandable aspiration catheter

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 DAEGU GYEONGBUK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

Provided is an aspiration catheter having a tubular shape and used to remove an embolus or a thrombus by being inserted into a blood vessel, and more particularly, a steerable and expandable aspiration catheter which may apply an effective aspiration force to an embolus or a thrombus by steering a distal tip of the catheter in a three-dimensional direction and expanding a diameter of the tip.