Angled Radial Sheath Adapter for Pronated Artery Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The radial artery access route for diagnostic and vascular interventions often results in patient discomfort due to the need for immobilization in an unnatural supination position, which can lead to discomfort and potential shifts in positioning.

Innovation Solution

A radial sheath adapter that converts the proximal end of a conventional radial sheath to conform to the wrist artery anatomy, allowing for supination or pronation positioning, thereby enabling more comfortable and stable access to the radial artery, including a pre-shaped or angled converter sheath with an immobilizer to stabilize the sheath and hub for catheter coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional straight radial sheath is used, then the radial artery access can be obtained, but the patient must be immobilized in an unnatural supination position causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidpatient positioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The radial sheath is transformed from a straight configuration to a curved configuration that matches the anatomical path of the radial artery. The curved sheath allows the patient's arm to be positioned in a more natural and comfortable position while maintaining proper alignment with the artery for successful catheter insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath geometry is modified by changing its curvature parameters to conform to the specific anatomical requirements of the radial artery path. This allows optimization of both patient comfort and procedural success by adjusting the sheath's shape to match individual anatomical variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the patient is immobilized in a supinated position, then radial artery access is facilitated, but discomfort and potential shifts in positioning occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess route stabilityVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The curved sheath design allows the arterial access path to be maintained while enabling the patient's arm to be positioned in a more comfortable and stable configuration, reducing the likelihood of position shifts during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If a pre-shaped curved sheath is used, then patient comfort is improved by enabling pronation positioning, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidsheath configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheath is manufactured with a pre-formed curved shape that matches the radial artery anatomy, allowing the patient to be positioned in a more comfortable pronated position while maintaining proper arterial access. The curvature is integrated into the sheath design rather than requiring external manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20220111179A1Radial artery adaptor

Publication Date: 2022.04.14 CORNELL UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A radial artery catheter adapter comprising, a converter sheath configured to provide access to the radial artery, wherein the converter sheath includes a conduit for a catheter, and the converter sheath is angled around the anatomy such that a first terminus is positioned at least twenty degrees from a substantial portion of the converter sheath a hub for coupling one or more catheters; and an immobilizer configured to stabilize the orientation of the converter sheath and the hub.