Atraumatic Suction Catheter with Segmented Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suction catheters face challenges in efficiently aspirating high viscosity secretions without causing trauma to tracheobronchial tissues due to clogging issues and structural weaknesses, leading to ineffective suctioning or tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A suction catheter with a tubular body and a distal tip featuring a plurality of racetrack-shaped apertures, equally spaced around the circumference, which reduces trauma and maintains structural integrity by distributing suction force and minimizing blockages, made from materials like thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers with a Shore hardness between 55 A and 90 A.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a suction catheter has only a few openings at the distal tip, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the openings easily become clogged by high viscosity secretions
Solution Approach 1:
The suction catheter divides the single distal opening into multiple smaller openings (at least three) arranged in a triangular pattern. This segmentation allows the catheter to maintain structural integrity while providing multiple pathways for suction, reducing the likelihood of complete clogging by high viscosity secretions.
2Reliability
If multiple openings are provided near the distal tip to prevent clogging, then suction capability is improved, but the catheter tip becomes structurally weak and buckles
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs local quality by providing reinforcement members specifically at the distal tip region where multiple openings are located. The reinforcement members (ribs or struts) are positioned to provide structural support precisely where the multiple openings would otherwise weaken the structure, allowing the tip to maintain both suction capability and structural integrity.
3Strength
If the catheter is made stiff to prevent buckling, then structural integrity is maintained, but trauma occurs upon impact with delicate tracheobronchial tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter uses parameter changes by selecting materials with specific hardness properties (Shore A hardness between 60-90) and incorporating reinforcement members that provide structural support without making the overall catheter too rigid. This allows the catheter to resist buckling while maintaining enough flexibility to reduce impact trauma on delicate tissues.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the catheter is made flexible to reduce tissue trauma, then harm to tissue is reduced, but the catheter becomes ineffective at suctioning due to shorter insertion distance
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter optimizes the flexibility parameter by selecting materials with specific elastic properties (Shore A hardness 60-90) that provide a balance between flexibility for safe insertion and sufficient rigidity to reach the required insertion depth for effective suctioning of secretions.
5Reliability
If a large number of openings are provided at the distal tip, then clogging is reduced, but the catheter tip weakens and folds over making suctioning impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter segments the opening structure into multiple smaller openings (at least three) arranged in a triangular pattern rather than one large opening. This segmentation provides resistance to clogging while distributing the structural weakness across multiple smaller features.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter applies local quality by adding reinforcement members specifically at the distal tip region to compensate for the structural weakening caused by multiple openings, preventing the tip from folding over while maintaining the multi-opening configuration for clogging resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a suction catheter having a tubular body with a lumen formed therethrough. The catheter has a plurality of spaced elongated apertures positioned near its distal tip. The catheter may have a fourth round opening positioned proximally to the three openings. The catheter has reduced impact force compared to similar suction catheters without the plurality of apertures near the distal tip.