KR102711803B1 - Microcatheter and microcatheter system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microcatheter and a microcatheter system. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a microcatheter includes a tube, a plurality of pressure sensors spaced apart from each other along the length of the tube, an actuator connected to one side of the tube, and a shock detection sensor arranged on one side of the actuator.

Description

MICROCATHETER AND MICROCATHETER SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a microcatheter and a microcatheter system, and more particularly, to a microcatheter and a microcatheter system having an actuator capable of active steering.

A catheter is a hollow tubular surgical instrument that is inserted into body cavities such as the pleural cavity or peritoneal cavity, or tubular organs such as the trachea, esophagus, stomach, or intestines. Catheters are used to secure passageways for the injection of medications or insertion of sensors.

A microcatheter is a catheter with a very small diameter, for example, less than about 1 mm, and is used in procedures where it is difficult to access with a general catheter.

Microcatheters can be inserted into the cerebral blood vessels to deliver drugs to the lesion causing the brain disease. A typical microcatheter is inserted along a guide wire inserted to the surgical site to reach the surgical site.

This method requires a lot of time to search for the surgical site and set the path because the microcatheter must be manually steered while observing limited image information through angiography. In addition, there is a risk that the tip of the microcatheter may damage or perforate the blood vessel, such as by poking the inner wall during the steering process. In addition, the tip of the microcatheter is practically impossible to steer and can only move along the guide wire, and the guide wire can only be rotated by turning the handle and cannot be steered, so it was difficult to insert it along the path of the blood vessel.
The background technology of the present invention is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-192230 (July 29, 1997), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2006/0235314 (October 19, 2006), and Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0103853 (September 19, 2018).

The background technology described above is technical information that the inventor possessed for deriving the present invention or acquired during the process of deriving the present invention, and cannot necessarily be considered as publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the application of the present invention.

The present invention provides a microcatheter and a microcatheter system capable of steering through an actuator and determining a steering direction through a pressure sensor and a shock detection sensor.

However, these tasks are exemplary, and the tasks to be solved by the present invention are not limited to these.

A microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a tube, a plurality of pressure sensors arranged spaced apart along the length of the tube, an actuator connected to one side of the tube, and a shock detection sensor arranged on one side of the actuator.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensor may be coated to surround the outer surface of the tube.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensor may be a porous composite thin film including at least one of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, and copper and a polymer binder.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuator may include a cylindrical body having a hollow interior and including an ionic electroactive polymer, and a thin film electrode coated to surround an outer surface of the body and arranged in a plurality of segments.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the thin film electrodes may be arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the body.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the shock detection sensor may be arranged at the tip of the actuator and formed in a hemispherical shape.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, a micro wire may be further included that extends along the longitudinal direction of the tubular portion, is attached to an outer surface of the tubular portion, and is connected to the actuator.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, when an impact is detected by the impact detection sensor, the actuator can perform an evasive maneuver to bend in the opposite direction to the side where the impact is detected.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a microcatheter comprises a tube portion, a plurality of pressure sensors spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction of the tube portion, and an actuator connected to one side of the tube portion, wherein the actuator comprises a body having a hollow interior and including an ionic electroactive polymer, and a plurality of thin film electrodes coated to surround an outer surface of the body and divided into a plurality of portions, wherein the actuator is driven in an actuator mode in which the body bends in one direction when current flows through the thin film electrode, and in a shock detection mode in which current flows through the thin film electrode when the body bends in one direction.

A microcatheter system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a tube portion, a plurality of pressure sensors arranged to be spaced apart along a length direction of the tube portion, an actuator connected to one side of the tube portion, an impact detection sensor arranged on one side of the actuator, an input unit for controlling movement of the actuator, a control unit for controlling operation of the actuator, and an output unit for showing pressure information measured by the pressure sensor and the impact detection sensor and movement of the actuator within a patient's body.

Other aspects, features and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings for practicing the invention.

A microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an actuator formed of an ionic electroactive polymer, which enables steering of a microcatheter having a very small diameter.

In a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the actuator includes a plurality of thin film electrodes that are divided and arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the body, and can be bent in various directions to enable smooth steering.

A microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention can measure the pressure of a blood vessel by including a pressure sensor and an impact detection sensor, and the pressure sensor and the impact detection sensor are made of a thin film so as not to cause an increase in the diameter of the microcatheter.

A microcatheter system according to one embodiment of the present invention can recognize pressure information measured from a pressure sensor and a shock detection sensor through an output unit and control the movement of an actuator through an input unit, thereby smoothly performing steering of the microcatheter.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Figure 1 illustrates a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 conceptually illustrates a pressure sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 conceptually illustrates an actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates the operation of an actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a shock detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a microcatheter according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the description of the invention. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, the same identification numbers are used for the same components even though they are illustrated in different embodiments.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components are given the same drawing reference numerals and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the examples below, the terms first, second, etc. are not used in a limiting sense but are used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

In the examples below, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the examples below, terms such as “include” or “have” mean that a feature or component described in the specification is present, and do not exclude in advance the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and therefore the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown.

In the following examples, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are not limited to three axes on an orthogonal coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broad sense that includes them. For example, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be orthogonal to each other, but may also refer to different directions that are not orthogonal to each other.

In some embodiments, where the embodiments are otherwise feasible, a particular process sequence may be performed in a different order than the order described. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or in a reverse order from the order described.

The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood to not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, a microcatheter (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a microcatheter according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates a pressure sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates an actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 illustrates driving of an actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 illustrates an impact detection sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The microcatheter (10) according to the present invention may be a catheter having a very small diameter, for example, a diameter of less than about 1 mm. In addition, the microcatheter (10) may be a microcatheter (10) for procedures that are difficult to access with a general catheter, for example, cerebral hemorrhage and interventional procedures. However, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and may be various microcatheters (10) within the same spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a microcatheter (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a tube (100), a pressure sensor (200), an actuator (300), a shock detection sensor (400), and a micro wire (500).

The tube (100) extends along the length of the microcatheter (10) and forms a hollow space inside, through which a guide wire, a drug, a coil, etc. can be inserted into the human body. In one embodiment, the tube (100) can be formed to have a diameter of 1 mm or less. The tube (100) can be inserted through, for example, a cerebral blood vessel, which is a micro blood vessel.

The tube (100) may include a distal end (110) inserted into the blood vessel side and a proximal end (120) on the opposite side. An actuator (300) to be described later may be connected to the distal end (110). An input unit (600) or a control unit (700) to be described later may be connected to the proximal end (120). The actuator (300), the input unit (600), and the control unit (700) will be described in detail in the relevant sections.

Referring to FIG. 2, a pressure sensor (200) can be placed in a vessel (100) as a sensor capable of measuring the pressure of a blood vessel into which a microcatheter (10) is inserted.

As an example, the pressure sensor (200) may be a piezoresistive sensor, and pressure may be measured by utilizing changes in electrical characteristics, such as changes in resistance and electrical capacity, that occur as the structure of the pressure sensor (200) changes when pressurized.

In one embodiment, the pressure sensor (200) may include a composite of highly conductive metal particles and a polymer. The highly conductive metal particles may include, for example, at least one of gold, carbon, platinum, and copper. The polymer may include, for example, at least one of Nafion, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polystyrene (PS). A porous composite film may be formed by dispersing conductive metal particles having a size of several tens of nanometers (nm) and a polymer material in a solvent. At this time, the polymer material may act as a binder that helps adhesion between the metal particles.

The pressure sensor (200) is formed of a porous composite film, and can measure pressure by utilizing electrical changes that occur when pressure is applied, such as a decrease in the thickness of the film or a decrease in the electrical conductivity path. In addition, since the porous composite film is a soft material, it may not damage the blood vessel wall into which the microcatheter (10) is inserted. In addition, since the porous composite film is soft, that is, flexible, it generally bends and may not be peeled off from the inserted microcatheter (10) and the tube (100).

In one embodiment, the thickness of the pressure sensor (200), specifically, the porous composite film, may be 10 micrometers (μm) or more and less than 100 micrometers. That is, the porous composite film of the pressure sensor (200) may be formed as a fine film. Accordingly, the microcatheter (10) in which the pressure sensor (200) is disposed has almost no increase in diameter due to the placement of the pressure sensor (200), and can be inserted into a micro blood vessel, such as a cerebral blood vessel, without difficulty. In addition, since there is almost no difference in diameter between the portion of the microcatheter (10) in which the pressure sensor (200) is disposed and the portion in which it is not disposed, the microcatheter (10) in which the pressure sensor (200) is disposed can be removed from the blood vessel without difficulty, even without special measures.

The pressure sensor (200) is arranged in the tube (100), and in one embodiment, a plurality of pressure sensors (200) may be arranged spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the tube (100). At least one of the plurality of pressure sensors (200) may be arranged at a distal end (120) adjacent to the actuator (300) of the tube (100). The remaining pressure sensors (200) may be arranged sequentially spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval based on the pressure sensor (200) arranged at the distal end (120) adjacent to the actuator (300). Accordingly, the pressure sensor (200) may measure the pressure of the blood vessel at a plurality of points along the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel into which the microcatheter (10) is inserted. The microcatheter (10) may continue to advance along the blood vessel and advance while checking the pressure of the blood vessel through the pressure sensor (200) arranged in the tube (100).

In one embodiment, the pressure sensor (200) may be coated to surround the outer surface of the tube (100). As a result, the pressure sensor (200) may measure the pressure of the blood vessel uniformly across the outer surface of the tube (100), i.e., the circumferential direction. At this time, the pressure sensor (200) may be coated by spray coating. Alternatively, it may be coated by rolling on the tube (100) using van der Waals force.

This can prevent an increase in diameter due to the placement of the pressure sensor (200) in a microcatheter (10) having a very small diameter. Specifically, the pressure sensor (200) is placed in the tube (100) by being directly coated without using an adhesive or an unnecessary intermediate support film, and since the thickness of the pressure sensor (200) is only several tens of micrometers, the diameter of the microcatheter (10) can hardly change. Accordingly, the microcatheter (10) according to the present invention can be smoothly inserted into a microvessel without damaging the microvessel and without any other prior measures.

In addition, since the pressure sensor (200) is placed on the pipe part (100) in a coating manner, it is adhered closely to the outer surface of the pipe part (100) that can generally be bent into a curved surface, has excellent bonding properties, and can be formed with a uniform thickness.

Referring to FIG. 3, the actuator (300) is connected to one side of the tube (100) and can guide the insertion path of the tube (100). Specifically, the actuator (300) is connected to the distal end (110) of the tube (100) and can advance along the blood vessel as the operator inserts and pushes it. At this time, the actuator (300) can be bent in one direction and can be bent along the path of the blood vessel while inserted into the blood vessel so that the microcatheter (10) can be advanced along the path of the blood vessel.

A typical catheter, or microcatheter, has difficulty in being inserted along the path of a blood vessel because its tip cannot be practically steered. Specifically, a guidewire is inserted through the internal space of the microcatheter to secure an insertion path, and the microcatheter is inserted along the guidewire. However, since the guidewire cannot be steered, the guidewire can only be pulled out, bent to fit the path of the blood vessel, and reinserted, or the guidewire handle can only be rotated to align it with the path of the blood vessel. Therefore, a microcatheter that can be advanced solely by relying on the direction of the guidewire cannot be directly steered.

The microcatheter (10) according to the present invention can be steered by bending the actuator (300) while inserted into the blood vessel. Accordingly, the direction in which the guide wire should advance can be guided. For example, in a Y-shaped blood vessel, the actuator (300) can be bent in one direction in which the microcatheter (10) should advance. Then, the guide wire advances along the bent actuator (300), and the microcatheter (10) advances along the guide wire again to advance in the desired direction. In other words, the actuator (300) can be steered to fit the shape of the blood vessel with various curvatures, so that the insertion of the microcatheter (10) can be facilitated.

In one embodiment, the actuator (300) may include a body (310) and a thin film electrode (320).

The body (310) constitutes the body of the actuator (300) and may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow space formed inside. The hollow space inside the body (310) is connected to the hollow space inside the pipe (100), and a guide wire may be inserted through the hollow space and a liquid or coil may be injected. The body (310) may be formed so that its outer diameter is similar to that of the pipe (100). For example, the diameter of the body (310) may be formed to be less than 1 mm.

The body (310) may include ionic electroactive polymers (EAP). In one embodiment, the body (310) may be a cylindrical polymer membrane substrate that supports an ionic liquid, for example, ethyl-3 methylimidazolium triflate (EMITF). Accordingly, the actuator (300), particularly the body (310), may bend as ions inside the polymer membrane move and align due to an electric field when current is applied.

The thin film electrode (320) acts as an electrode when current is applied, and can induce movement and alignment of ions in the body (310), specifically, the ionic electroactive polymer (EAP). Through the movement and alignment of ions in the ionic electroactive polymer (EAP), the actuator (300) can be bent.

In one embodiment, the thin film electrode (320) may be composed of a composite of at least one of metal particles, such as gold, carbon, platinum, and copper, and a polymer used as a binder, such as Nafion, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polystyrene (PS). Accordingly, the actuator (300) may be flexible while maintaining excellent conductivity against compression and tension that occur during the operation of the actuator (300). In addition, since the thin film electrode (320) is a soft material, it may not damage the blood vessel wall into which the microcatheter (10) is inserted. In addition, since the thin film electrode (320) is soft, that is, flexible, it may generally bend and not be peeled off from the inserted microcatheter (10) and body (310).

In one embodiment, the thin film electrode (320) may be coated to surround the outer surface of the body (310). In this case, the thin film electrode (320) may be coated by spray coating. Or, it may be coated by rolling on the body (310) using van der Waals forces.

This can prevent an increase in diameter due to the arrangement of the thin film electrode (320) in a microcatheter (10) having a very small diameter. Specifically, the thin film electrode (320) is arranged on the body (310) by being directly coated without using an adhesive or an unnecessary intermediate support film, and since the thickness of the thin film electrode (320) is only tens or hundreds of micrometers, the diameter of the microcatheter (10) can hardly change. Accordingly, the microcatheter (10) according to the present invention can be smoothly inserted into a micro blood vessel without damaging the micro blood vessel and without any other prior measures.

In addition, since the thin film electrode (320) is placed on the body (310) in a coating manner, it is adhered closely to the outer surface of the body (310) which can generally be bent into a curved shape, has excellent bonding properties, and can be formed with a uniform thickness.

In one embodiment, the thin film electrode (320) may be divided into a plurality of pieces and arranged. Specifically, the thin film electrode (320) may be arranged in a plurality of pieces at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the body (310). In this way, the thin film electrode (320) may be divided into a plurality of pieces along the circumferential direction of the body (310) to easily steer the actuator (300).

In one embodiment, the thin film electrode (320) may be divided into four equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the body (310). In this case, the thin film electrode (320) may be arranged in the first quadrant, the second quadrant, the third quadrant, and the fourth quadrant centered on the longitudinal axis of the body (310). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, one end of the actuator (300) may be bent in the four directions of the first quadrant to the fourth quadrant where the thin film electrode (320) is arranged. Accordingly, the actuator (300) according to the present invention may be bent in a plurality of directions and may be steered so that the microcatheter (10) may be easily inserted along the path of the blood vessel.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the thin film electrode (320) is shown to be divided into four along the circumferential direction of the body (310), but it is not limited thereto and it will be understood that it may be divided into eight or more to steer the actuator (300) in more directions.

In one embodiment, the diameter of the actuator (300) may be about 0.8 mm. The thickness of the actuator (300) may be about 0.1 mm. The length of the actuator (300) may be about 15 mm. In this way, since the actuator (300) is formed to have a very small diameter and size, it can be continuously connected to the tube (100) without causing an increase in the diameter. Accordingly, the microcatheter (10) can be inserted into a micro blood vessel such as a cerebral blood vessel without any trouble, even though it includes the actuator (300).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the shock detection sensor (400) is arranged on one side of the actuator (300) to detect an impact. In one embodiment, the shock detection sensor (400) may be arranged on the tip of the actuator (300). However, it is understood that the present invention is not limited thereto and various arrangement positions may be adopted, such as being arranged on the outer surface of the actuator (300).

The shock detection sensor (400) can detect an impact from the blood vessel wall when the actuator (300) touches the blood vessel wall. For example, the shock detection sensor (400) can measure the pressure from the blood vessel when the actuator (300) touches the blood vessel wall. Accordingly, the steering direction of the actuator (300) can be determined by considering the pressure measured by the shock detection sensor (400) during the steering process. For example, when the actuator (300) bends in one direction and the pressure measured by the shock detection sensor (400) is determined to be above a certain standard, the actuator (300) can bend in the other direction opposite to the one direction. Accordingly, the microcatheter (10) can prevent the actuator (300) from forcibly entering the blood vessel.

As an example, the shock detection sensor (400) may be a piezoresistive sensor, and pressure may be measured by utilizing changes in electrical characteristics, such as changes in resistance and electrical capacity, that occur as the structure of the shock detection sensor (400) changes when pressurized.

In one embodiment, the shock detection sensor (400) may include a composite of highly conductive metal particles and a polymer. The highly conductive metal particles may include, for example, at least one of gold, carbon, platinum, and copper. The polymer may include, for example, at least one of Nafion, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polystyrene (PS). A porous composite film may be formed by dispersing conductive metal particles having a size of several tens of nanometers (nm) and a polymer material in a solvent. At this time, the polymer material may act as a binder that helps adhesion between the metal particles.

The shock detection sensor (400) is formed of a porous composite film and can measure pressure by utilizing electrical changes such as a decrease in the thickness of the film or a decrease in the electrical conductivity path when pressure is applied. In addition, since the porous composite film is a soft material, it may not damage the blood vessel wall into which the microcatheter (10) is inserted. In addition, since the porous composite film is soft, that is, flexible, it generally bends and may not be peeled off from the inserted microcatheter (10) and actuator (300).

In one embodiment, the thickness of the shock detection sensor (400), specifically, the porous composite film, may be 10 micrometers (μm) or more and less than 100 micrometers. That is, the porous composite film of the shock detection sensor (400) may be formed as a fine film. Accordingly, the actuator (300) in which the shock detection sensor (400) is disposed has almost no increase in diameter or volume due to the placement of the shock detection sensor (400), and can be inserted into micro blood vessels such as cerebral blood vessels without difficulty. In addition, since there is almost no difference in diameter or volume between the portion of the microcatheter (10) in which the shock detection sensor (400) is disposed and the portion in which it is not, the microcatheter (10) in which the shock detection sensor (400) is disposed can be removed from the blood vessel without difficulty without any special measures.

In one embodiment, the shock detection sensor (400) may be formed in a hemispherical shape to surround the tip of the actuator (300). At this time, an opening may be formed in the center of the hemisphere. The shock detection sensor (400) may detect an impact in all directions from the tip of the actuator (300). In addition, the shock detection sensor (400) may be inserted by passing a guide wire or a liquid through the opening. The actuator (300) may be controlled to bend in the opposite direction to the impact from all directions, for example, the part where the pressure increases, through the hemispherical shock detection sensor (400), so that it may be inserted along the blood vessel path without damaging the blood vessel wall.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, when an impact is detected by the impact detection sensor (400), the microcatheter (10) can perform an evasive maneuver so that the actuator (300) bends in the opposite direction to the side where the impact is detected. At this time, the evasive maneuver of the actuator (300) can be performed by manipulation in the input unit (600) described below, or automatically by the control unit (700). As a result, the microcatheter (10) can be inserted along the blood vessel path without damaging the blood vessel wall.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a micro wire (500) may be placed on an outer surface of the tube (100). The micro wire (500) may be formed of a conductive metal, such as gold, and may provide a conductive path for the pressure sensor (200), the actuator (300), and the impact detection sensor (400). The microcatheter (10) may allow current to flow through the micro wire (500).

In one embodiment, the micro wire (500) may be extended along the longitudinal direction of the tube (100) and attached to an outer surface of the tube (100) and connected to an actuator (300), specifically, a thin film electrode (320). The thin film electrode (320) may be bent in one direction due to a current applied through the micro wire (500). In this case, the micro wire (500) may be formed in a plurality of pieces corresponding to the thin film electrode (320) being formed in a plurality of pieces.

In addition, the micro wire (500) can be connected to the pressure sensor (200) and the shock detection sensor (400) to transmit the current generated by the pressure sensor (200) and the shock detection sensor (400) due to external pressure, thereby measuring the pressure.

In one embodiment, the micro wire (500) may be bonded to the tube (100) using an ultraviolet curable adhesive. Through this, the micro wire (500) may be easily attached to the tube (100), which is generally composed of a polymer. In addition, the micro wire (500) may not be easily peeled off even when the tube (100) is bent.

In this way, the microcatheter (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an actuator (300), a pressure sensor (200), an impact detection sensor (400), etc., and can facilitate steering of a microcatheter (10) with a very small diameter.

Figure 6 shows a microcatheter (20) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a microcatheter (20) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a tube (100), a pressure sensor (200), and an actuator (300).

Since the microcatheter (20) is similar to the microcatheter (10) described above, the following description will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment.

The tube (100) extends along the length of the microcatheter (20) and forms a hollow space inside, through which a guide wire, drug, coil, etc. can be inserted into the human body.

The pressure sensor (200) is a sensor that can measure the pressure of a blood vessel into which a microcatheter (20) is inserted, and can be placed in the tube (100). In one embodiment, the pressure sensor (200) can be a piezoresistive sensor. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor (200) is placed in the tube (100) and can be placed in multiple numbers spaced apart along the length direction of the tube (100). In one embodiment, the pressure sensor (200) can be coated to surround the outer surface of the tube (100).

The actuator (300) is connected to one side of the tube (100) and can guide the insertion path of the tube (100). Specifically, the actuator (300) is connected to the distal end (110) of the tube (100) and can advance along the blood vessel as the operator inserts and pushes it. At this time, the actuator (300) can bend in one direction and can bend along the path of the blood vessel while inserted into the blood vessel so that the microcatheter (20) can advance along the path of the blood vessel.

In one embodiment, the actuator (300) may include a body (310) and a thin film electrode (320).

The body (310) constitutes the body of the actuator (300) and may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a hollow space formed inside. The body (310) may include an ionic electroactive polymer (EAP).

The thin film electrode (320) can act as an electrode when current is applied to cause movement and alignment of ions in the body (310), specifically, the ionic electroactive polymer (EAP). The actuator (300) can be bent through the movement and alignment of ions in the ionic electroactive polymer (EAP). In one embodiment, the thin film electrode (320) can be coated to surround the outer surface of the body (310).

The actuator (300) can be bent in one direction as described above when current is applied. This facilitates steering of the microcatheter (20) so that it can be inserted along the path of the blood vessel.

Meanwhile, the actuator (300) of the microcatheter (20) according to the present invention can function as a sensor that detects shock. That is, the ionic electroactive polymer (EAP) of the body (310) bends in one direction when current is applied through alignment and movement of ions, but as opposed to the body (310) bending when it touches the blood vessel wall, a voltage difference is generated, and pressure or shock can be detected through this voltage difference.

That is, the actuator (300) according to the present invention can be selectively driven in an actuator mode in which the body (310) bends in one direction when current is applied to the actuator (300) and an impact detection mode in which a voltage difference is generated to detect an impact when the body (310) bends in one direction. Accordingly, the microcatheter (20) according to the present invention can perform both steering of the microcatheter (20) and impact detection with a blood vessel wall through the actuator (300) without requiring a separate impact detection sensor.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a microcatheter system (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

A microcatheter system (30) may include a microcatheter (10) or microcatheter (20), an input unit (600), a control unit (700), an output unit (800), and a power supply unit (900) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Below, we will explain with a focus on the differences from the previously described example.

The input unit (600) can command to manipulate the steering of the microcatheter (10, 20), specifically, the actuator (300). The input unit (600) can include, for example, at least one of a mouse, a keyboard, and a joystick. The input unit (600) can manipulate the bending direction of the actuator (300). Accordingly, the operator can easily perform the insertion of the microcatheter (10, 20) by steering the actuator (300).

In one embodiment, the input unit (600) may be connected to one side of the tube (100), specifically, the proximal end (120). Accordingly, the operator may steer the actuator (300) through the input unit (600) from outside the patient's body.

The output unit (800) can output pressure information and movement of the actuator to provide visual information. The output unit (800) can include, for example, a display.

In one embodiment, the output unit (800) can display pressure information measured by the pressure sensor (200) through the display. The operator can identify, for example, the location of a thrombus through the pressure information measured by the pressure sensor (200). That is, the point where high local blood pressure is formed near the thrombus can be recognized as the location of the thrombus. In addition, the operator can check whether the insertion of the microcatheter (10, 20) is smoothly performed in an appropriate direction through the pressure information displayed through the output unit (800).

In one embodiment, the output unit (800) can display shock or pressure information measured by the shock detection sensor (400) through the display. For example, the output unit (800) can detect shock when the actuator (300) hits a blood vessel wall during its forward movement, and output whether shock is detected as a message or the like on the display. The operator can check the shock detection message and change the steering direction of the actuator (300).

In one embodiment, the output unit (800) can display the movement of the actuator (300) through the display. The operator can visualize the movement of the actuator (300) by injecting a contrast agent into the blood vessel into which the microcatheter (10, 20) is inserted, and can check whether the actuator (300) is progressing along the path of the blood vessel through the output unit (800). Accordingly, the operator can steer the actuator (300) by comprehensively considering the pressure information displayed on the output unit (800), whether shock is detected, and the movement status of the actuator (300).

The control unit (700) can control the operation of the actuator (300). The control unit (700) can receive a steering command of the actuator (300) from the input unit (600) and control the operation of the actuator (300) by applying current to the actuator (300).

In addition, the control unit (700) can control the actuator (300) to perform an evasive maneuver. In one embodiment, the control unit (700) can perform an evasive maneuver of the actuator (300) by a steering command from the input unit (600). The operator can recognize that the actuator (300) hits a blood vessel wall through pressure detected from the pressure sensor (200) or the impact detection sensor (400) and command the evasive maneuver of the actuator (300) through the input unit (600), and accordingly, the control unit (700) can cause the actuator (300) to perform an evasive maneuver. In one embodiment, the control unit (700) can automatically perform an evasive maneuver of the actuator (300) without a command from the input unit (600). The control unit (700) can detect that the actuator (300) has hit a blood vessel wall through pressure detected from a pressure sensor (200) or an impact detection sensor (400) and automatically move the actuator (300) in an evasive manner in the opposite direction to the pressure detection direction.

The power supply unit (900) can supply power required for driving the microcatheter (10, 20). Specifically, the power supplied from the power supply unit (900) can be controlled by the control unit (700) to control the driving of the actuator (300), for example.

In this way, the microcatheter system (30) according to the present invention can recognize pressure information measured from a pressure sensor (200) and a shock detection sensor (400) through an output unit (800) and control the movement of an actuator (300) through an input unit (600), so that steering of the microcatheter (10, 20) can be simply performed outside the patient's body.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, these are merely examples. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from the embodiments. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should be determined based on the appended claims.

Specific technical details described in the embodiments are examples only and do not limit the technical scope of the embodiments. In order to describe the invention concisely and clearly, descriptions of conventional general techniques and configurations may be omitted. In addition, the connection or absence of connection of lines between components illustrated in the drawings is an example of functional connections and/or physical or circuit connections, and may be expressed as various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections that are replaceable or additional in an actual device. In addition, if there is no specific mention such as “essential” or “importantly,” it may not be a component that is absolutely necessary for the application of the present invention.

The words "above" or similar designators described in the description and claims of the invention can refer to both singular and plural unless specifically limited. In addition, when a range is described in an embodiment, it is intended that the invention includes an individual value that falls within the range (unless otherwise stated), and each individual value constituting the range is described in the description of the invention. In addition, unless there is an explicit description or contrary description regarding the steps constituting the method according to the embodiment, the steps can be performed in any appropriate order. The embodiments are not necessarily limited by the order in which the steps are described. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (e.g., "for example," etc.) in the embodiments is merely intended to describe the embodiments in detail, and the scope of the embodiments is not limited by the examples or exemplary terms, unless otherwise limited by the claims. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, combinations, and changes can be made according to design conditions and factors within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents.

10, 20: Microcatheter 30: Microcatheter system
100: Crown 200: Pressure sensor
300: Actuator 400: Shock sensor
500: Micro wire 600: Input
700: Control section 800: Output section
900: Power supply

Claims (10)

government department;
A plurality of pressure sensors arranged spaced apart along the length of the above-mentioned pipe;
An actuator connected to one side of the above-mentioned pipe;
A shock detection sensor arranged on one side of the above actuator;
An input unit for controlling the movement of the above actuator;
A control unit that controls the operation of the above actuator; and
It includes pressure information measured from the pressure sensor and the shock detection sensor and an output section showing the movement of the actuator within the patient's body;
The above pressure sensor is a porous composite thin film including at least one of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, and copper and a polymer binder,
A microcatheter, wherein the polymer binder comprises at least one of Naphion, polyvinylidene fluoride, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene. In the first paragraph,
A microcatheter, wherein the pressure sensor is coated to surround the outer surface of the tube. delete In the first paragraph,
The above actuator
A cylindrical body having a hollow interior and containing an ionic electroactive polymer;
A microcatheter comprising a thin film electrode coated to surround the outer surface of the body and arranged in a plurality of segments. In paragraph 4,
A microcatheter in which the above thin film electrodes are arranged in multiple numbers at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the body. In the first paragraph,
A microcatheter in which the above shock detection sensor is arranged at the tip of the actuator and formed in a hemispherical shape. In the first paragraph,
A microcatheter further comprising a micro wire extending along the longitudinal direction of the tube portion, attached to an outer surface of the tube portion, and connected to the actuator. In the first paragraph,
A microcatheter, wherein when an impact is detected by the impact detection sensor, the actuator performs an evasive action to bend in the opposite direction to the side where the impact is detected. government department;
A plurality of pressure sensors arranged spaced apart along the length of the above-mentioned pipe;
An actuator connected to one side of the above-mentioned pipe;
The above actuator comprises a body having a hollow interior and including an ionic electroactive polymer;
A thin film electrode coated to surround the outer surface of the body and arranged in a plurality of pieces;
The above actuator
When current flows through the thin film electrode, the body is driven in an actuator mode in which it bends in one direction, and in a shock detection mode in which current flows through the thin film electrode when the body bends in one direction.
The above pressure sensor is a porous composite thin film including at least one of carbon, gold, silver, platinum, and copper and a polymer binder,
A microcatheter, wherein the polymer binder comprises at least one of Naphion, polyvinylidene fluoride, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene. delete