Adjustable Length Catheter With Scored Segments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters are often available in fixed lengths, which can lead to excess material outside the body during use, making them difficult to maneuver and requiring hospitals to stock multiple sizes, increasing costs and logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adjustable length catheter assembly kit that allows medical practitioners to customize the length of the catheter by cutting and flaring the device, using a cutting and flaring tool to sever and create a sealable flare at the proximal end, enabling flexible use and reduced inventory needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If catheters are provided in fixed lengths, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but excess material outside the body results in reduced maneuverability and increased inventory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system transitions from fixed-length static configurations to dynamically adjustable lengths. The catheter is designed with a scored section that allows it to be separated into multiple segments, enabling the practitioner to adjust the catheter length dynamically based on patient-specific requirements and procedural needs, thereby improving maneuverability while maintaining simplified inventory management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If catheters are made longer to accommodate various procedures, then versatility is improved, but excess material outside the body increases difficulty in manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct segments including a proximal section, a scored section with multiple score lines, and a distal section. This segmentation allows the catheter to be separated into different length configurations, providing versatility for various procedures while ensuring that the portion outside the body remains manageable and easy to manipulate by reducing excess material.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheter sizes are stocked to meet different length requirements, then adaptability is improved, but inventory costs and logistical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single catheter design with a scored section serves multiple functions and length requirements. The catheter can be configured into different lengths by separating at different score lines, making one catheter type universal for various procedural needs. This eliminates the need to stock multiple catheter sizes, reducing inventory quantity and logistical complexity while maintaining adaptability.
4Ease of operation
If catheters are provided in shorter lengths to improve maneuverability, then ease of operation is improved, but they cannot accommodate procedures requiring longer access
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system enables dynamic adjustment of length to match procedural requirements. The scored section allows the catheter to be separated into different configurations, transforming a potentially short catheter into a longer effective length when needed, while maintaining the benefit of reduced excess material for improved maneuverability in procedures requiring shorter lengths.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An adjustable length catheter is disclosed. In some embodiments, the catheter is configured for use with a hub configured to couple to an end of the catheter. A cutting tool and/or a flaring tool may further be provided in connection with the catheter. In some embodiments, these tools are coupled to a hub member. The catheter may be configured such that a user, for example a medical practitioner, may cut the catheter to a desired size as part of a therapy or other procedure.