Steerable Guide Member with Optical Fiber for Sinus Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balloon catheters for treating bodily passages, such as sinuses and airways, lack steerable guide members, requiring the use of x-ray or lighted wireguides for navigation, which are cumbersome and non-steerable, increasing procedure complexity and duration.
Innovation Solution
A steerable guide member comprising an elongate tubular member, a flexible coil member, and an optical fiber, allowing for torque transmission and navigation within bodily passages using a light source or camera, enabling precise placement and treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lighted wireguide is used for navigation, then visualization of the sinus cavity is improved, but the device cannot be torqued or steered, limiting navigation ability
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is divided into a rigid proximal portion and a flexible distal portion, allowing the proximal part to transmit torque while the distal part provides flexibility for navigation. The coil member is segmented into multiple loops that can be independently controlled for shaping and steering.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member transitions from a static wireguide to a dynamic, steerable device. The flexible distal portion can be actively shaped and positioned using torque transmission through the coil member, enabling real-time navigation adjustments while maintaining visualization capability.
2Device complexity
If conventional balloon catheters are advanced freely towards the treatment point, then the procedure is simpler, but the distal end cannot be steered through the anatomy, requiring continuous advancement and withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is pre-configured with a rigid proximal portion and flexible distal portion, and can be pre-shaped using torque transmission before advancing the catheter. This preliminary positioning and shaping eliminates the need for repeated advancement and withdrawal, as the distal end can be steered into the correct position initially.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary between the operator and the catheter. It provides a steerable track that guides the catheter to the treatment site, combining the simplicity of free advancement with the precision of active steering through its torquable coil structure.
3Measurement precision
If x-ray or other visualization equipment is used to verify positioning, then accurate placement is achieved, but the procedure complexity and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member provides its own visualization capability through the integrated optical fiber and light source, eliminating the need for external x-ray or imaging equipment. The device self-illuminates the sinus cavity, allowing direct visual verification of positioning without additional complex equipment or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical imaging system (x-ray equipment) with an optical illumination system. The optical fiber delivers light directly to the treatment site, substituting complex radiographic equipment with a simpler optical-based visualization method that reduces procedural complexity.
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 solution enables precise navigation and treatment of bodily passages, reducing procedure complexity and time by allowing for steerable catheters and guide members that can be rotated and advanced to specific treatment points within the anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
The optical fiber has a third proximal end that is adapted to be operatively connected to the light source and a third distal end that is attached to the coil member
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
Medical devices are described and illustrated herein. In particular, steerable guide members and catheters useful in the identification and treatment of bodily passages are provided. Methods of identifying and treating bodily passages are also provided.