Differential-Transmittance Tip for Precise Stent Delivery Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent delivery catheters face challenges in accurately positioning the distal end within stenosed portions of the body, such as digestive organs or blood vessels, due to inadequate visual recognition and visibility during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A tip configuration for medical devices with a first region having higher total light transmittance and a second region with lower transmittance, facilitated by differences in colorants, crystallinity, and radiopaque fillers, enhances visibility and positioning within the body cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional uniform tip structure is used, then the device is simple in structure, but the visibility and visual recognition of the distal end position in the body cavity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is divided into multiple regions with different light transmittance properties. The first region (proximal portion) has higher light transmittance for better visibility, while the second region (distal portion) has lower light transmittance to enhance contrast against surrounding tissues. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by improving visibility without requiring complex external lighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip employs differential coloration or optical property variation between regions. By controlling light transmittance through material selection or coating, the tip creates visual contrast that enhances detection of its position and orientation in the body cavity, directly addressing the visibility problem while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Illumination intensity
If the tip is made more opaque to improve visibility, then the visual recognition improves, but the ability to accurately position and manipulate the distal end decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a proximal region with higher light transmittance for visibility and manipulation, and a distal region with lower light transmittance for enhanced visual contrast. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between visibility and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a uniform one-dimensional structure to a multi-dimensional optical property distribution. By varying light transmittance across different axial positions of the tip, the design creates multiple visual cues at different depths, enabling both good visual recognition and accurate positioning through optical dimensionality rather than structural 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 tip design allows for easier identification and precise placement of medical tubular bodies within stenosed regions, improving procedural accuracy and reducing lumen damage during guide wire insertion and removal.
Implementation Method 1
the first region has higher total light transmittance measured with a D65 light source in comparison with the second region
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose is to provide a tip configured to facilitate finding a position in a body cavity. A tip configured to be disposed at a distal end portion of a medical device for insertion into a living body includes a first region including a proximal end of the tip and a second region positioned distally to the first region, wherein the first region has higher total light transmittance measured with a D65 light source in comparison with the second region.