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Español The main purpose of guide catheters is to provide access for interventional treatment or surgery, and to guide other instruments or devices into specific locations inside the human body for diagnosis, treatment or sampling. Specifically, guide catheters can be used for:
1. Cardiovascular field
In the cardiovascular field, guide catheters are the core tools for coronary artery intervention. They can guide devices such as stents and balloons into the site of coronary artery lesions to achieve angioplasty or stent implantation. In addition, guide catheters are also used for cardiac catheterization to help doctors evaluate cardiac function and monitor hemodynamics.
2. Neurology
In neurology, guide catheters are widely used in cerebrovascular interventional treatment, such as cerebral aneurysm embolization and interventional treatment of cerebral vascular stenosis. Its soft material and good maneuverability enable it to adapt to the complex anatomical structure of cerebral blood vessels, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of treatment.
3. Oncology
In oncology, guide catheters can be used for interventional treatment of tumors, such as percutaneous puncture biopsy, radioactive particle implantation, and chemotherapy drug infusion. The catheter is used to precisely deliver drugs or therapeutic devices to the tumor site, improving the targeting and efficacy of treatment.
4. Urinary system
In the urinary system, guide catheters are used for urography, renal artery interventional therapy, etc. For example, renal artery stents are implanted through a catheter to treat renal artery stenosis.
5. Digestive system
In the digestive system, guide catheters can be used for gastrointestinal endoscopy, interventional therapy for esophageal cancer, etc. For example, dilation therapy for esophageal stenosis is performed through a catheter, or an endoscope is guided into the gastrointestinal tract for biopsy or treatment.
6. Respiratory system
In the respiratory system, guide catheters are used for airway stent implantation and pulmonary interventional therapy. For example, metal or plastic stents are placed into the airway through a catheter to maintain airway patency and treat central tracheal stenosis.
7. Hemodialysis
In hemodialysis, guide catheters are used to establish vascular access to provide patients with long-term dialysis treatment. Their good biocompatibility and low friction properties help reduce the risk of thrombosis and infection.
8. Trauma First Aid
In trauma first aid, guide catheters can be used for vascular interventional treatment of trauma patients, such as temporary establishment of vascular access, hemostasis or infusion.
How does the multi-level hardness design improve the flexibility of the catheter?
The multi-level hardness design improves the flexibility of the catheter while maintaining the overall structural strength by using materials of different hardness at different parts of the catheter. Specifically, this design allows the catheter to have a higher hardness at the proximal end (the end close to the operator) for easy advancement and manipulation, and a lower hardness at the distal end (the end close to the patient) to enhance its flexibility so that it can better adapt to complex or tortuous vascular paths.
For example, when high pushability and hardness are required, a thicker outer layer and a higher durometer material can be selected; when better anti-kinking performance is required, a lower durometer material and a smaller lumen size would be more appropriate. This design trade-off enables the catheter to perform optimally at different stages of operation, thereby improving the success rate and safety of the operation.
In addition, the multi-segment hardness design can also optimize the proximal rigidity and distal flexibility of the catheter, so that it can provide strong pushing force and achieve precise conduction when twisting, which is important for navigation in complex paths.
What role does the braided structure play in the catheter?
The braided structure plays a vital role in the catheter. It not only improves the mechanical properties of the catheter, but also enhances its maneuverability and stability in complex vascular environments. Specifically, the braided structure forms a shell with high support and flexibility through the staggered arrangement of multiple wires, thereby providing good anti-kink and pushing force during the advancement of the catheter. This structural design enables the catheter to maintain its shape in the blood vessel while adapting to the bending and twisting of the blood vessel and reducing damage to the blood vessel wall.
In the guide catheter, the braided structure is usually made of metal wire, which has good biocompatibility and strength, and can ensure the stability and safety of the catheter when it is operated in the body. In addition, the braided structure can also achieve a balance between flexibility and pushing through different braiding patterns, so that the catheter can be flexibly bent when needed, and provide sufficient support when it needs to be pushed.
In clinical applications, braided catheters are widely used in interventional treatments such as angiography, stent implantation, and tumor embolization. For example, under the guidance of DSA (digital subtraction angiography), doctors can use catheters to introduce specially made imported instruments into the human body to accurately diagnose and treat vascular malformations or tumors. Braided catheters perform well in these operations, providing clear navigation paths and stable control performance.
What are the commonly used materials for guide catheters?
The commonly used materials for guide catheters mainly include the following, and each material plays a different role in the performance and application of the catheter:
Polyethylene (PE): Polyethylene is a commonly used catheter material with good strength, softness and elasticity, and a low friction coefficient. It is widely used in most vascular catheters. Its advantages are easy processing and pre-forming, and good biocompatibility.
Polyurethane (PU): Polyurethane is a softer material with good flexibility and lubricity, but its elastic memory is poor, the probability of thrombosis is high, and systemic heparinization is required when used. It is widely used in catheters that require good bending performance or high elasticity.
Silicone: Silicone rubber is selected for its excellent biocompatibility and high flexibility, and is particularly suitable for catheters that require good bending performance or high elasticity, such as endotracheal intubation.
Polyester: Polyester is often used in catheters that require strong stiffness and pressure resistance, such as certain types of intravascular stent catheters.
Nylon: Nylon has good biocompatibility and strength and is commonly used in applications such as arterial catheters.
Metal materials: such as stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloy, etc., provide additional mechanical strength and are suitable for catheters in special surgical operations. Nickel-titanium alloy is softer than stainless steel, has better bendability and adaptability, and is therefore more commonly used in medical applications that require high flexibility.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): PTFE is suitable for manufacturing expanded tubes, thin-walled catheters and some standard vascular catheters due to its large physical strength and low friction coefficient.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC is also a commonly used catheter material with good processing properties and certain flexibility, suitable for a variety of catheter applications.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK): Polyetheretherketone is a high-performance thermoplastic with excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility, suitable for catheters in special surgical operations.
Polyamide (PA): Polyamide has good mechanical properties and biocompatibility, suitable for catheters that require high strength and corrosion resistance.
The choice of these materials depends on the specific application requirements of the catheter, such as the complexity of the operation, the specific conditions of the patient, and the doctor's operating habits. By properly selecting materials, it is possible to ensure that the catheter has good performance and safety during use.
How does the maneuverability and stability of the guide catheter improve surgical efficiency?
The maneuverability and stability of the guide catheter are key factors in improving surgical efficiency. By optimizing the design and material selection of the catheter, its maneuverability and stability in complex surgeries can be significantly improved, thereby shortening the operation time, reducing complications, and increasing the success rate of treatment.
1. Multi-level hardness design
The proximal end of the catheter usually uses harder materials to provide good pushing force and maneuverability, while the distal end uses softer materials to enhance its flexibility so that it can better adapt to the bending and twisting of the blood vessels. This multi-level hardness design can ensure that the catheter can provide sufficient support during the advancement process and reduce damage to the blood vessel wall, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of the operation.
2. Braided structure
The braided structure is the key to improving the maneuverability and stability of the catheter. Through the staggered arrangement of metal wires, the catheter can maintain its shape during the advancement process while adapting to the bending and twisting of the blood vessel. This structure not only improves the catheter's anti-kink and pushing force, but also enhances its maneuverability in complex vascular environments.
3. Low-friction inner layer
The inner layer of the catheter usually uses low-friction materials to reduce the friction resistance of the guidewire or high-viscosity fluid, thereby improving the passability and operability of the catheter. This design can ensure that the catheter is smoother during the advancement process, reduce operational resistance, and improve surgical efficiency.
4. Shape memory material
Shape memory material plays an important role in catheter design. They can return to a preset shape under certain conditions, thereby improving the maneuverability and stability of the catheter. The use of this material can ensure that the catheter maintains good maneuverability and stability in complex operations and reduce the adjustment time during the operation.
5. Hydrophilic coating
The hydrophilic coating can improve the lubricity of the catheter and reduce the friction during insertion, thereby improving the maneuverability and stability of the catheter. This coating can ensure that the catheter is smoother during advancement, reduce operational resistance, and improve surgical efficiency.
6. Visual design
The head of the catheter is usually designed with a developing segment to help doctors accurately position it under image guidance. This design can improve the maneuverability and stability of the catheter, reduce misoperation during surgery, and improve the success rate of the operation.
7. Real-time imaging guidance
In some operations, such as catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, real-time imaging technology (such as intracardiac echocardiography ICE) can provide real-time imaging during the operation, helping doctors to more accurately position the catheter and improve the maneuverability and safety of the operation. This technology can reduce the adjustment time of the catheter and improve the efficiency of the operation.
8. Optimize design parameters
By optimizing the design parameters of the catheter (such as the cross-sectional area of the catheter, the elastic modulus of the material, and the tensile strength), the pushability and torsionability of the catheter can be improved, thereby improving its operability and stability in complex surgeries. This optimized design can ensure that the catheter is more stable during advancement, reduce the adjustment time during surgery, and improve surgical efficiency.
How do the length and outer diameter of the guide catheter affect its usage scenario?
The length and outer diameter of the guide catheter are important factors affecting its usage scenario, which directly determine the applicability and operability of the catheter in different interventional treatments.
1. The influence of catheter length
The length of the catheter is usually between 65 cm and 100 cm, and the specific choice depends on the type of surgery and the site of operation. For example, when performing cerebrovascular interventional treatment, a longer catheter is usually required to smoothly guide the interventional device to the target vessel. When performing renal angiography or renal artery stent implantation, a 65 cm long catheter is more suitable. In addition, for complex lesions that need to penetrate into distal vessels, such as posterior circulation aneurysms or chronic carotid artery occlusions, it is usually necessary to select a longer catheter to ensure that the device can reach the target area smoothly.
2. The influence of the outer diameter of the catheter
The outer diameter of the catheter is usually measured in French, with 1 Fr equal to 1/3 mm. Common catheter outer diameters range from 4 Fr to 8 Fr. Smaller catheter outer diameters are suitable for smaller or more tortuous blood vessels, such as cerebral blood vessels or small branched blood vessels. Larger catheter outer diameters are suitable for surgeries that require greater support, such as coronary artery intervention or treatment of aortic lesions. In addition, a smaller catheter outer diameter can reduce damage to blood vessels and reduce the risk of vascular occlusion after interventional treatment. Therefore, with radial artery access becoming the mainstream today, the use of smaller diameter catheters is the current trend.
3. The combined influence of catheter length and outer diameter
The selection of catheter length and outer diameter needs to comprehensively consider the specific needs of the surgery. For example, when performing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke or interventional recanalization for chronic carotid artery occlusion, it is usually necessary to select a longer catheter and a larger outer diameter to ensure that the catheter can successfully reach the target vessel and provide sufficient support. When evaluating portal hypertension or pulmonary hypertension, the hemodynamic catheter needs to select the appropriate length and outer diameter according to the specific vascular conditions.
4. Matching of catheter length and outer diameter
There needs to be a certain matching between the length and outer diameter of the catheter to ensure the smooth progress of the operation. For example, when performing complex coronary artery intervention, it is usually necessary to select a longer catheter and a larger outer diameter to ensure that the catheter can smoothly reach the distal blood vessel and provide sufficient support. When performing simple angiography or stent implantation, a shorter catheter and a smaller outer diameter are more appropriate.
5. Clinical application of catheter length and outer diameter
In actual clinical applications, the selection of catheter length and outer diameter needs to be adjusted according to the patient's specific conditions and surgical needs. For example, when performing coronary artery intervention, it is usually necessary to select a longer catheter and a larger outer diameter to ensure that the catheter can smoothly reach the target blood vessel and provide sufficient support. When evaluating portal hypertension or pulmonary hypertension, the hemodynamic catheter needs to select the appropriate length and outer diameter according to the specific vascular conditions.
What should be paid attention to when using a guide catheter?
When using a guide catheter, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:
Preoperative preparation: Before using a guide catheter, the patient needs to undergo a comprehensive examination, including medical history, allergy history, physical examination, etc., to exclude risks associated with the use of a guide catheter. At the same time, the patient's medical history and symptoms should be fully understood to ensure that the patient has no contraindications, and the status of the peripheral blood vessels should be checked to ensure the patency and applicability of the blood vessels.
Disinfection and isolation: Before and during the operation, relevant disinfection and safety measures need to be taken to ensure the hygiene and safety of the catheter insertion process to avoid introducing other risks such as infection. When using a guide catheter, attention should be paid to disinfection and isolation measures to avoid introducing bacteria or viruses during the operation, causing infection or cross-infection.
Operation skills: The use of a guide catheter requires skilled operation skills and experience to ensure the safety and accuracy of the operation. When using a guide catheter, the appropriate guide catheter size should be selected to ensure that it matches the patient's blood vessel size and surgical needs. At the same time, the correct operation skills should be mastered to ensure that the catheter passes through the blood vessel smoothly and reaches the expected position.
Observation and monitoring: During the use of the guide catheter, it is necessary to closely observe the patient's reaction and adjust the operation plan in time. During the operation, if the guide catheter system is found to be abnormal or damaged, it should be stopped immediately and replaced or repaired in time to ensure the smooth progress of the operation. In addition, the catheter position, blood flow and patient vital signs should be closely monitored, and abnormal conditions should be handled in time.
Postoperative treatment: After using the guide catheter, the patient needs to be observed, including the occurrence of complications such as postoperative infection, bleeding, and vascular injury. When removing the catheter, it is necessary to follow the operating specifications to reduce the pain and discomfort during the removal of the catheter. After use, the catheter must be properly disposed of in accordance with the medical waste disposal regulations to prevent cross infection and environmental pollution. At the same time, the guide catheter system should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent the occurrence of cross infection.
Storage and maintenance: The storage and maintenance of the guide catheter system is also very important. It should be placed in a dry, clean, and dust-free environment to avoid moisture or contamination. After use, the catheter must be properly cleaned and stored to avoid contact between the catheter and other objects to prevent contamination or damage to the catheter.
Laws, regulations and ethics: The use of the guide catheter system should comply with relevant laws, regulations and medical ethics requirements to ensure the legality and morality of the operation. Operators should receive relevant training and learning regularly to continuously improve their professional level and technical capabilities to improve the quality and safety of the operation.
When using a guide catheter, it is necessary to comprehensively consider multiple aspects such as preoperative preparation, disinfection and isolation, operation skills, observation and monitoring, postoperative treatment, storage and maintenance, as well as laws, regulations and ethics to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the operation.
