Pushability Model of a Microcatheter for Intravascular Procedures

M. Miliani[1], F. Piccagli[1]
[1]Medtronic Invatec S.p.A., Roncadelle, BS, Italy
Published in 2013

During peripheral intravascular interventions one of the main issues is the correct deployment of the guidewire (GW) to the anatomical site which has to be treated, often supported by a microcatheter. There is a trade-off between the microcatheter flexibility and its push-ability to be able to reach the anatomical site. The catheter design has been defined with 2 transition zones. A parametric geometry has been defined in COMSOL Multiphysics®. Different type of elements have been used (3D, shell) and contact properties have been manually defined when using shell elements. This model can be used as a starting point for an optimization of the microcatheter design parameters, aiming to a maximization of the push-ability force with the catheter outer diameter as low as possible.