Telescopic Sheath Adjustable Length Fluid Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheaths for guiding intrabody catheters lack a standardized length, leading to complications and increased procedure duration due to the need for multiple sheath lengths to accommodate anatomical variations, and often require mid-procedure exchanges when the selected length is unsuitable.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic sheath with an adjustable length, comprising an outer sleeve and a narrower inner sleeve that telescopically extends, along with a fluid seal to prevent back bleeding and a lock to fix the adjusted length, allowing for precise length adjustment and stabilization during medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sheaths of different lengths are provided, then the suitability for various anatomical variations is improved, but the device complexity and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into two telescopic sleeves: an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve that can slide relative to each other. This segmentation allows the sheath length to be adjusted by changing the extension of the inner sleeve, eliminating the need for multiple different sheath lengths while maintaining adaptability to various anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath transitions from a fixed-length design to a dynamic, adjustable-length design through the telescopic mechanism. The inner sleeve can be extended or retracted along the outer sleeve to achieve different effective lengths, allowing real-time adaptation to different procedural needs without changing the entire device.
2Device complexity
If a fixed-length sheath is used, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to accommodate anatomical variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath incorporates a dynamic telescopic mechanism where the inner sleeve can slide within the outer sleeve to adjust the effective length. This dynamic adjustment capability allows a single sheath design to accommodate various anatomical variations while maintaining relatively simple device construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective length parameter of the sheath can be changed by adjusting the extension of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. This parameter change capability allows the same physical device to adapt to different procedural requirements without changing the fundamental device structure.
3Length of moving object
If the sheath length is extended to reach deeper anatomy, then the reach capability is improved, but the maneuverability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is segmented into an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the distal tip to reach deeper anatomy through the extended outer sleeve while the proximal portion remains compact and manageable, preserving maneuverability at the operator's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic mechanism allows the sheath to dynamically adjust its length configuration. The inner sleeve can be extended to increase reach capability when needed, then retracted to improve maneuverability and reduce the burden on the operator during manipulation of the catheter.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sheath is made longer to accommodate anatomical variations, then the adaptability is improved, but the duration of procedure increases due to exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic sheath allows real-time length adjustment during the procedure by sliding the inner sleeve to the desired extension position and locking it in place. This eliminates the need to remove and exchange the entire sheath to achieve different lengths, thereby reducing procedure duration while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is pre-configured with a telescopic mechanism that allows length adjustment to be performed before the procedure begins or during any stage. This preliminary or intra-procedural adjustment capability ensures the correct length is achieved without requiring time-consuming exchanges.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3B
AI summary
A telescopic sheath (14) includes an outer sleeve (40) extending from a proximal end (44) to a distal end (46), wherein the distal end is configured for being inserted into a body, an inner sleeve (42) that telescopically extends proximally from the proximal end of the outer sleeve, a fluid seal (48), which is disposed between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve and is configured to prevent back bleeding through a space between the inner sleeve and outer sleeve, and a lock (52), configured to fix a position of the inner sleeve with respect to the outer sleeve. The sheath is configured to guide an intrabody catheter (16) by virtue of the catheter passing from a proximal end of the inner sleeve to the distal end of the outer sleeve.