Vibrating Serrated Needle for Flexible TIPS Catheter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current puncture devices for creating TIPS shunts in patients with liver cirrhosis are stiff, making them difficult to bend for patients with challenging anatomy, leading to prolonged procedures and potential treatment infeasibility, and require high force, which is painful and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A flexible catheter with a vibrating needle and serrated tip, inspired by the mosquito proboscis, reduces piercing force and tissue displacement, allowing for easier navigation and lower profile design, incorporating a piezoelectric actuator and hardness gradient for reduced stiffness and enhanced tissue penetration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a stiff needle is used for puncturing the liver, then the puncture force is sufficient, but the flexibility and adaptability to patient anatomy are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepuncture forceVSAvoidadaptability to anatomy

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is divided into multiple segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the distal portion to bend and adapt to patient anatomy while the proximal portion remains stiff enough to deliver adequate puncture force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle stiffness parameter is varied along its length, with the distal portion being more flexible and the proximal portion being stiffer, enabling both adaptability and sufficient puncture force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If a stiff needle is used for puncturing the liver, then the puncture capability is adequate, but the procedure time increases due to multiple attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepuncture forceVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented needle design with articulation joints allows real-time adjustment to patient anatomy during the procedure, reducing the need for multiple puncture attempts and thereby reducing procedure time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure that can adapt its configuration during the procedure, improving first-attempt success rate and reducing overall procedure time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible catheter is used, then the adaptability to anatomy is improved, but the puncture force capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to anatomyVSAvoidpuncture force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible catheter is segmented with articulation joints that allow the distal portion to bend for anatomical adaptation while maintaining the ability to transmit sufficient puncture force from the proximal portion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle combines materials with different stiffness properties in a composite structure, with the distal portion being more flexible and the proximal portion being stiffer, achieving both adaptability and puncture force capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If a larger profile puncture device is used, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ease of introduction into the patient's body is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle and catheter components are designed to nest within each other in a collapsed configuration, allowing easy introduction through small access points while maintaining structural integrity when deployed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 flexible and vibrating needle with serrations requires less force for tissue penetration, making it more user-friendly and adaptable for various anatomies, reducing procedure time and pain, while allowing for a lower profile and cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a piezoelectric actuator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

A flexible catheter with a vibrating needle and serrated tip, inspired by the mosquito proboscis, reduces piercing force and tissue displacement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

serrated tip, inspired by the mosquito proboscis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS12076514B2Puncture device to be used in creating a TIPS shunt

Publication Date: 2024.09.03 ANGIOMED GMBH & CO MEDIZINTECHNIK KG

AI summary

Described herein is a catheter (10) including a needle (12) arranged for creating a puncture suitable for a TIPS shunt. The catheter can include a flexible catheter body (14) having a proximal and a distal end, the needle (12) being provided at the distal end of the catheter body (14), and an actuator (16) arranged for vibrating the needle,the needle being provided with serrations (18) on its outside.