Automated Arterial Sheath Placement with Doppler Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for femoral artery cannulation require advanced training and are challenging to perform in emergency settings where trained personnel may not be available, especially when the femoral pulse is absent or decreased due to hypotension, limiting the applicability of procedures like REBOA and invasive monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held automated emergency arterial sheath placement device with a Doppler sensor for non-invasive artery localization and a manually operable actuator to guide the insertion of an arterial sheath, scalpel, and other necessary elements, allowing for quick and safe cannulation by personnel without specialized training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional femoral artery cannulation is performed by trained physicians, then cannulation accuracy and safety are improved, but procedure complexity and time consumption increase, limiting emergency response capability
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the complex cannulation procedure into distinct functional modules: Doppler sensor for artery localization, automated needle insertion mechanism, guide wire deployment system, and sheath placement mechanism. Each module operates independently but coordinates through automated control, reducing the cognitive burden on operators while maintaining procedural accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-localization of the femoral artery using integrated Doppler sensors that automatically detect blood flow signals and guide needle positioning. The system self-adjusts insertion depth and angle based on real-time feedback from pressure sensors and imaging, eliminating the need for continuous manual assessment by trained physicians
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual femoral artery cannulation is performed, then procedural flexibility is maintained, but operator training requirements and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary artery localization and positioning using Doppler sensors and imaging systems before needle insertion. The system pre-configures optimal insertion parameters based on patient anatomy detection, eliminating time-consuming manual assessment steps while maintaining adaptability to individual patient variations
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from pressure sensors, Doppler flow detection, and imaging systems continuously monitors needle position and artery engagement. The system automatically adjusts insertion depth and angle based on feedback signals, maintaining procedural flexibility while reducing time consumption through automated closed-loop control
3Productivity
If automated sheath placement device is used, then procedure time is reduced and accessibility is improved, but device complexity and initial training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions (Doppler sensing, imaging, needle insertion, guide wire deployment, and sheath placement) into a single integrated platform. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices and manual coordination steps required, improving procedure speed while managing complexity through unified automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal applicability across different patient populations and clinical settings through adjustable parameters and multiple functional modes. The same platform can perform artery localization, needle insertion, guide wire deployment, and sheath placement, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying training requirements
4Reliability
If advanced training is required for femoral artery cannulation, then procedural safety is improved, but availability of trained personnel in emergency settings decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-localization of the femoral artery using integrated Doppler sensors that automatically detect blood flow signals and guide needle positioning. The system self-adjusts insertion depth and angle based on real-time feedback from pressure sensors and imaging, eliminating the need for continuous manual assessment by trained physicians
Solution Approach 2:
Manual tactile assessment and physician skill-based judgment are replaced with automated electronic sensing systems including Doppler sensors, pressure transducers, and imaging systems. These electronic systems objectively detect artery location and guide insertion, transferring the safety function from human expertise to automated mechanical-sensing systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and accurate femoral artery sheath placement in emergency conditions by non-physician emergency providers, reducing complications and increasing accessibility of invasive monitoring and resuscitative techniques in pre-hospital settings.
Implementation Method 1
The lower body portion includes a non-invasive artery locator, such as a Doppler sensor configured to locate an artery into which the arterial sheath is intended to be placed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
Disclosed are devices and methods for automated emergency arterial cannulation. The device comprises a hand-held automated emergency arterial sheath placement device having a body with a handle and an actuator, and an arterial sheath placement head at the distal end of the handle body configured for placement against the patient's skin. The arterial sheath placement head includes an arterial sheath insertion device configured to advance an arterial needle, guide wire, and arterial sheath into a patient's artery upon sequential operation of the actuator. The arterial sheath placement head also includes a non-invasive artery locator configured to locate an artery into which the arterial sheath is intended to be placed. The arterial sheath placement head also preferably includes a Doppler gel and antiseptic needle, a local anesthetic needle, and a scalpel, all of which are likewise configured to advance from the upper body portion upon sequential operation of the actuator.