Sterile Hub Packaging Assembly for Robotic Catheter Manipulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The delivery of neurovascular care is limited by challenges such as insufficient trained interventionalists, complex setup requirements, and difficulty in achieving supra-aortic access, especially in Type III arches, which complicates procedures like thrombectomy and stent placement.

Innovation Solution

A robotic control system with hubs for guidewire, access catheter, and guide catheter, allowing for precise axial and rotational control, along with lateral deflection, to achieve supra-aortic access and enable robotic manipulation of interventional devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual control of coaxial catheters is used, then the surgeon can perform neurovascular procedures, but the complexity of setup requirements and demand on surgeon dexterity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgeon dexterity requirementVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control of catheters with a robotic system that uses magnetic fields to actuate the catheters. The robotic system includes a magnetic actuator that can remotely control the position and orientation of the catheter tip without requiring direct manual manipulation, thereby reducing the demand on surgeon dexterity and simplifying the setup process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a robotic intermediary system between the surgeon and the catheters. This robotic system acts as a mediator that translates surgeon commands into precise catheter movements, handling the complexity of coordinating multiple coaxial catheters and eliminating the need for the surgeon to directly manage complex mechanical manipulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If supra-aortic access is achieved manually, then neurovascular procedures can be performed, but achieving access especially in Type III arches is challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess achievement difficultyVSAvoidaccess success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system replaces manual catheter advancement with magnetic actuation that can precisely control catheter navigation through complex vascular anatomy. The magnetic actuator can apply controlled forces to advance the catheter through Type III arches and other challenging anatomies without relying on manual pushing or wire manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation parameter from manual mechanical force to magnetic field actuation. This allows for more precise control of catheter position and orientation during advancement through the aortic arch, enabling reliable access even in challenging Type III arches where manual techniques fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If robotic control system is implemented, then precise control of interventional devices is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice control precisionVSAvoidrobotic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control complexity from the catheter system itself and places it in a separate robotic control unit. The catheter remains relatively simple with just the magnetic actuation components, while the complex control algorithms, magnetic field generation, and coordination logic are housed in an external robotic system that can be updated or modified without changing the catheter design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic control system is designed as a universal platform that can control multiple different types of interventional devices and catheters through the same magnetic actuation interface. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by using a single standardized robotic controller rather than requiring separate control systems for each device type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates efficient and precise robotic access to neurovascular sites, reducing the need for manual dexterity and enabling procedures like thrombectomy and stent placement with improved accuracy and ease.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet on the proximal end of the interventional device; the sterile barrier is magnetically permeable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4691407A2Sterile packaging assembly for robotic interventional device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 IMPERATIVE CARE INC
  • EP4691407A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4691407A2 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP4691407A2 patent drawingFigure 3B~3C

AI summary

A sterile packaging assembly for transporting interventional devices to a robotic surgery site includes a sterile barrier having a hub support portion and configured to enclose a sterile volume; and at least a first interventional device within the sterile volume. The first interventional device includes a hub and an elongate flexible body. The hub includes at least one magnet and at least one roller configured to roll on the hub support portion of the sterile barrier.