Steerable Guide Catheter With Interwoven Steering Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide catheters face challenges in accessing the vascular system through the radial artery due to their large profile and insufficient inner diameter, which can cause discomfort and increase procedural time and cost, especially when navigating tortuous paths.
Innovation Solution
A steerable guide catheter system with a smaller profile is designed, featuring a tubular member with an inner layer, a reinforcing braid, and an outer layer, where steering wires are interwoven through the braid to enhance torque control and column strength, and an introducer sleeve is used to support the catheter, allowing for precise navigation and reduced wall thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If guide catheters with steering wires disposed on outer or inner surfaces are used to enable steering through tortuous paths, then steering capability is improved, but wall thickness increases and inner lumen diameter decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the steering wires with the reinforcing braid by interweaving the steering wires through the braid structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate steering wire channels, thereby maintaining the original inner lumen diameter while providing steering capability through the tortuous path.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing braid serves dual functions: it provides structural reinforcement to the catheter wall and simultaneously serves as the steering mechanism. The steering wires are integrated into the braid structure, allowing the same component to perform both reinforcement and steering functions, thus avoiding additional space requirements.
2Strength
If guide catheters with larger profile are used to provide sufficient structural support, then structural strength is improved, but ease of insertion into radial artery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steering mechanism with the reinforcing braid structure, eliminating redundant components. This integration maintains structural strength while reducing the overall profile of the catheter, enabling insertion into the narrower radial artery.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter employs a composite structure with an inner layer, reinforcing braid with integrated steering wires, and outer layer. This composite design optimizes the strength-to-profile ratio, providing sufficient structural support for navigation while maintaining a small enough profile for radial artery insertion.
3Ease of operation
If guide catheters with smaller profile are used to facilitate radial approach insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but inner diameter becomes insufficient for therapeutic device introduction
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the steering wires into the reinforcing braid structure, the patent eliminates the space that would otherwise be required for separate steering mechanisms. This allows the catheter to maintain a larger inner lumen diameter suitable for therapeutic device passage while keeping the outer profile small enough for radial artery insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
A guide catheter may include a tubular member having an inner layer defining a lumen extending therethrough, a reinforcing braid disposed about the inner layer, a plurality of steering wires interwoven through the reinforcing braid, and an outer layer disposed about the reinforcing braid. At least a portion of the reinforcing braid may be embedded within the outer layer. An introducer sleeve may be slidably disposed over the tubular member. A flush port element may be operably connected to the introducer sleeve.