Part II：A Precision "Weapon" in ERCP Surgery——Eight-Lumen Braided Tube

Part II：A Precision "Weapon" in ERCP Surgery——Eight-Lumen Braided Tube

Disposable choledochoscopes are an indispensable core instrument in ERCP surgery. Their design directly affects the success rate of the surgery and the patient's postoperative recovery effect. The choledochoscope not only needs to have good pushing performance and maneuverability, but also needs to ensure safety and treatment effect in complex anatomical environments.

One of the core components of the choledochoscope is the coated catheter, also known as the eight-lumen braided tube. The structure and function of this catheter are precisely designed to meet the demanding requirements of ERCP surgery. The following are the main functions of the eight-lumen braided tube:  

 Multi-Lumen Design for Enhanced Efficiency: The eight-lumen structure allows for simultaneous operations through multiple channels, such as contrast dye injection, bile drainage, drug delivery, or instrument insertion, reducing the need for frequent device changes and shortening procedure time.  

 Flexible Navigation and Precise Positioning: The braided tube can flexibly adjust its direction within the narrow bile duct, ensuring the catheter tip accurately reaches the target lesion, even in patients with complex anatomical structures.  

 High Pressure Resistance and Anti-Deformation: The braided design enhances the catheter’s ability to withstand pressure, maintaining stability during high-pressure contrast injection or dilation procedures without deforming or rupturing.  

 Minimized Tissue Trauma: The catheter’s surface is specially treated to reduce friction, minimizing irritation to the bile duct mucosa and lowering the risk of postoperative infections or inflammation.

From the perspective of process characteristics, the manufacture of eight-lumen braided tubes requires advanced material composite technology and precision processing technology. The catheter adopts a three-layer composite structure, taking into account flexibility, strength and biocompatibility:  

Ø Inner Tube: Made of etched PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). PTFE is a low-friction, highly corrosion-resistant material widely used in medical devices. The etching process further smooths the inner surface, facilitating instrument passage and reducing irritation to the bile duct, thus lowering the risk of postoperative complications.  

Ø Middle Layer: Composed of a stainless steel braided layer. This layer, made of high-strength stainless steel wires intricately woven together, enhances the catheter’s tensile and compressive strength while maintaining flexibility. It also provides stable support during bending, preventing excessive twisting and ensuring precise control for the physician.  

Ø Outer Tube: Constructed from Pebax, a high-performance medical polymer. Pebax offers excellent flexibility and toughness, allowing the catheter to adapt to the natural curvature of the bile duct while providing smooth tactile feedback during operation. The outer tube is also coated with a hydrophilic layer, further reducing friction and improving the catheter’s navigability.

Beyond the advanced design of the eight-lumen braided tube, it also features a unique four-directional adjustable bending capability. Through the handle’s control mechanism, physicians can adjust the catheter tip’s angle in four directions (up, down, left, and right), accommodating various bile duct anatomies and angles. This is particularly beneficial for cases with significant ductal angulation or anatomical variations, greatly enhancing the procedure’s adaptability and success rate. 

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