Variable Thickness Inner Liner Aspiration Catheter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aspiration catheters face challenges in navigating the complex and tortuous cerebral anatomy due to limited flexibility and trackability, which hinders effective removal of occlusions during thrombectomy procedures for stroke treatment.
Innovation Solution
The catheter features an inner liner with a thinner distal section and optional voids or bubbles, constructed from materials like PTFE, to reduce stiffness and enhance flexibility, allowing for improved navigation through tortuous vasculature by varying thickness and diameter, and incorporating outer layers for mechanical integrity and reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the catheter uses a uniform thickness inner liner throughout its length, then the catheter maintains structural integrity and strength, but the catheter lacks flexibility and trackability in tortuous vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The inner liner is designed with non-uniform thickness, being thinner at the distal end and thicker at the proximal end. This local variation in thickness provides the distal end with enhanced flexibility for navigating tortuous vasculature while maintaining sufficient structural integrity at the proximal end for overall catheter strength and support.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner liner is divided into distinct thickness zones - a thinner distal section and a thicker proximal section. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function: the thinner distal zone provides flexibility and trackability, while the thicker proximal zone provides structural support and strength.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter inner liner is made thinner at the distal end to improve flexibility, then the catheter achieves better trackability, but the catheter may compromise structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The inner liner thickness is locally optimized: thinner at the distal end where flexibility and trackability are most needed for navigating cerebral anatomy, and thicker at the proximal end where structural integrity and strength are critical for supporting the overall catheter structure and withstanding operational forces.
3Strength
If the catheter uses a thicker inner liner for strength, then the catheter maintains structural integrity, but the catheter cannot navigate complex tortuous cerebral anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The variable thickness design allows the catheter to adapt to different functional requirements along its length. The thinner distal section enables navigation through complex, tortuous cerebral anatomy by conforming to vessel curvature, while the thicker proximal section maintains overall structural integrity and provides necessary support.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner liner is segmented into functional zones with different thickness characteristics. The distal segment is optimized for flexibility and adaptability to navigate tortuous vessels, while the proximal segment is optimized for strength and structural stability, allowing the catheter to perform both functions effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspiration catheter includes an elongate tubular body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongate tubular body comprises an inner liner and one or more outer layers. The inner liner comprises a first surface defining a lumen of the elongate tubular body and a second surface. The one or more outer layers are disposed over the second surface of the inner liner. In an embodiment, the inner liner has a first thickness at the proximal end portion of the elongate tubular body and a second thickness at the distal end portion of the elongate tubular body smaller than the first thickness. In another embodiment, the inner liner is provided with plural voids between the first surface and the second surface of the inner liner.