Introduction to Microcatheter

1. Microcatheter Overview

Microcatheter is a fine medical device used for minimally invasive interventional surgery. It has a small diameter (usually an outer diameter of 0.70~1.30mm) and a special design. It can accurately deliver diagnostic or therapeutic agents in human blood vessels and is widely used in interventional treatment of peripheral, coronary and neurovascular systems.

2. Core functions and scope of application

Main uses

Diagnosis and treatment delivery: Help doctors accurately deliver diagnostic agents (such as contrast agents) or therapeutic agents (such as occlusive coils, embolic agents, stents, etc.) to target vascular areas (such as peripheral vascular systems, coronary vascular systems, and neurovascular systems).

Minimally invasive intervention support: Provides guidewire support, lesion passage, drug or device delivery, etc. in blood vessels, suitable for the diagnosis and treatment of complex vascular lesions.

Application areas

Peripheral vascular intervention: Treatment of peripheral arterial or venous diseases (such as stenosis, aneurysm, vascular malformations, etc.).

Coronary artery intervention: Assists in the treatment of coronary heart disease (such as stent implantation, drug delivery).

Neurovascular intervention: used for the diagnosis and embolization of vascular diseases of the nervous system such as cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and vascular stenosis.

III. Structure and materials

Basic structure

Inner layer: usually a smooth lining material (such as polytetrafluoroethylene) to reduce blood flow resistance and facilitate the passage of guidewires or drugs.

Middle reinforcement layer: braided or wound with metal wires (such as stainless steel) to enhance the strength, flexibility and pushing force of the catheter to ensure stability and maneuverability in the blood vessel.

Outer layer: made of polymer materials (such as Pebax, polyurethane), with mechanical conduction properties of different hardness designed according to clinical needs, to facilitate accurate navigation and positioning.

Material properties

Biocompatibility: using medical-grade materials, sterilized by ethylene oxide, disposable, and reducing the risk of infection.

Flexibility and pushing: combining braided structure with material mechanics design, taking into account flexible passage and stable pushing in the blood vessel.

4. Working Principle

The microcatheter achieves the following functions in the blood vessel through its small diameter and flexible design:

Precise navigation: With the help of a guidewire, it reaches the distal or tortuous lesion site along the vascular path.

Drug/device delivery: Directly deliver diagnostic agents (such as contrast agents) or therapeutic devices (such as embolic coils, stents) to the target location to achieve local treatment (such as vascular embolization, stenosis and dilatation).

Exchange and support: Provide support for guidewires or other interventional devices to complete the exchange or operation of the lesion site.

5. Product Examples

6. Clinical Advantages

Minimally invasive: No open surgery is required, and the operation can be completed through vascular puncture, reducing trauma and recovery time.

Precision: The small diameter and flexible design allow reaching complex vascular areas and achieving targeted treatment.

Safety: The material has high biocompatibility, disposable use reduces the risk of infection, and the structural design reduces vascular damage.

Microcatheters are the core devices of modern minimally invasive interventional therapy. Through sophisticated structural design and material properties, they play a key role in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases, and are particularly suitable for precise interventional operations in the peripheral, cardiac and neurovascular systems. Their application significantly improves the minimally invasiveness and effectiveness of surgery, and is an important tool in the field of vascular intervention.