Torque Sleeve for Catheter Angular Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional catheter delivery systems fail to accurately achieve the desired angular radial orientation of expandable medical devices, such as stents and stent-grafts, during deployment due to incomplete torque transfer, leading to challenges in rotational positioning at treatment sites within the body.

Innovation Solution

The use of a catheter assembly with first and second releasable sleeves that are rotationally constrained relative to each other and the catheter, allowing for precise angular radial orientation of the expandable device by applying torque to the catheter's proximal end, with the sleeves designed to constrain and release the device in a controlled manner to facilitate deployment and expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If torque is applied to the catheter to rotate the expandable device, then rotational positioning is attempted, but the torque does not fully transfer to the device resulting in inaccurate angular radial orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular radial orientation accuracyVSAvoidtorque transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the torque transmission function by introducing a dedicated torque sleeve that is rotationally coupled to both the catheter and the expandable device. This separate torque transmission component ensures efficient torque transfer from the catheter to the device, resolving the torque transfer efficiency problem while maintaining orientation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The torque sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the catheter and the expandable device. It receives rotational input from the catheter and transmits it to the device, ensuring complete torque transfer and accurate angular radial orientation without the energy loss experienced in direct catheter-device rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a releasable sleeve is used to constrain the expandable device during delivery, then device stability is improved, but the complexity of the delivery system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stability during deliveryVSAvoiddelivery system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque sleeve and constraining sleeve functions are merged into a single integrated component. This sleeve performs both the torque transmission function and the device constraining function, thereby improving device stability during delivery without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a torque transmission element and as a constraining element that maintains device stability during delivery. This universal component eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, balancing stability improvement with complexity management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the sleeve is designed to allow rotation for orientation, then angular positioning is improved, but the constraint capability during delivery is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular radial orientation accuracyVSAvoiddevice constraint stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve incorporates dynamic characteristics by allowing controlled rotation when torque is applied during the orientation phase, while maintaining static constraint capability during the delivery phase. This dynamic behavior enables the sleeve to adapt its function based on the operational stage, providing both accurate orientation and stable constraint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve's rotational characteristics are modified through parameter changes in its design, such as incorporating specific friction characteristics or mechanical features that allow rotation under certain conditions (during orientation) while maintaining constraint under other conditions (during delivery). This enables the sleeve to provide both functions at different stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method enables accurate and controlled angular radial orientation of expandable medical devices, ensuring proper positioning and deployment at treatment sites, enhancing the effectiveness of medical device delivery systems.

Implementation Method 1

rotation of the catheter may not result in the desired rotational positioning of the medical device, because the torque applied to the catheter may not fully transfer to a rotation of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque transfer: Torque

Data Source

PatentUS9226839B1Torque sleeve

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

The present disclosure describes an assembly comprising a catheter, an expandable device in a collapsed configuration on the catheter, a first releasable sleeve coaxially covering a proximal portion of the device, and a second releasable sleeve coaxially covering a distal portion of the device, wherein first and second sleeves overlap and are rotatably constrained relative to each other, and wherein the second sleeve is rotatably constrained relative to the catheter. During deployment, rotation of the catheter causes rotation of the second sleeve and the device for angular radial orientation. After deployment, the first sleeve may remain implanted in the patient.