Japan Lifeline has filed a patent for a catheter design that includes a shaft, multiple splines, and a distal end member. The splines can change shape and are restrained by a first restraining member. This design aims to improve the functionality and effectiveness of catheters. GlobalData’s report on Japan Lifeline gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Japan Lifeline, Surgical robots was a key innovation area identified from patents. Japan Lifeline's grant share as of September 2023 was 16%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A catheter with adjustable splines for intended shape change
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230310070A1) describes a new design for a catheter. The catheter includes a shaft that is inserted into the body, a plurality of splines connected to the distal end of the shaft, and a distal end member connected to the distal end of the splines. The unique feature of this catheter design is the use of a restraining member to restrict the motion of adjacent splines.
Claim 1 specifies that the catheter includes a first spline and a second spline located next to each other, and their motions are restrained by a first restraining member. Claim 2 further explains that the first restraining member has a protruding portion that extends closer to the distal end of the catheter than the distal ends of the first and second splines.
Claim 3 states that the distal end member covers the distal end portions of both splines and the protruding portion of the first restraining member. In claim 4, it is mentioned that the inner surface of the distal end member includes recess portions where the distal end portions of the splines are located.
Claim 5 reveals that the interior of the distal end member is filled with an adhesive. Claim 6 introduces a bundling member within the distal end member, which bundles the protruding portion of the first restraining member. This bundling member has a plate shape with a through-hole for inserting the protruding portion.
Claim 8 specifies that the first restraining member is a wire, while claim 9 states that it is provided separately from the distal end member and the shaft. Finally, claim 10 presents an alternative embodiment of the catheter design, where the motions of adjacent splines are restrained by a single restraining member.
This patent application describes a novel catheter design that utilizes a restraining member to restrict the motion of adjacent splines. The use of a distal end member and a bundling member further enhances the stability and functionality of the catheter. The design variations presented in the claims provide flexibility in implementing this technology.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies
