Inside-Out Catheter Access Through Vessel Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for gaining access to a patient's vascular system, such as the central venous or arterial system, are hindered by blocked major veins or arteries with clots or fibrous occlusions, as traditional approaches often require direct puncture from the outside, which can be challenging when occlusions are present.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system and method that facilitates access from the inside out by using a needle wire and a projection angle catheter to penetrate occlusions, allowing a larger catheter to direct a second catheter at an angle, enabling access through occluded vessels in the upper chest or neck region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct puncture from the outside is used to access the vascular system, then access can be obtained in normal vessels, but access becomes difficult or impossible when occlusions are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional access approach by entering the vessel from a remote site and proceeding inward to reach the occlusion, rather than puncturing from the outside. This reverse approach allows the catheter to navigate through healthy vessel segments first, then penetrate the occlusion from within, making the procedure feasible when external puncture would fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a needle wire as an intermediary tool that first penetrates the occlusion under fluoroscopic guidance, creating a pathway that allows subsequent introduction of the catheter. This intermediary approach enables safe and controlled access through the occluded segment without direct external puncture.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a larger diameter catheter is introduced to improve access and stability, then procedural stability improves, but the complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access procedure into distinct phases: first introducing a smaller catheter and needle wire to penetrate the occlusion, then advancing a larger catheter through the created pathway. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while reducing overall procedural complexity compared to attempting to introduce the large catheter directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the needle wire is introduced through the catheter, and subsequently the larger catheter is advanced through the pathway created by the needle wire. This nested approach allows systematic progression from smaller to larger components, ensuring stability while managing complexity through organized sequencing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If needle wire penetration of occlusion is performed to enable access, then access to occluded vessels is achieved, but procedural time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by first introducing the catheter to the occlusion site under fluoroscopic guidance, then systematically advancing the needle wire through the occlusion before introducing the larger catheter. This preliminary preparation creates a defined pathway that accelerates the overall procedure compared to attempting direct catheter insertion, reducing total procedural time despite the additional steps.
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 effective access to occluded vessels by penetrating occlusions with a needle wire and guiding a catheter through the occlusion, improving access for medical interventions by providing a stable and controlled pathway, enhancing patient safety and procedural success.
Implementation Method 1
applying a radiopaque target having a radiopaque area and a radiolucent area to the skin of the patient so that the radiolucent area defines an exit point on the skin of the patient; viewing the catheter and said distal tip under fluoroscopy through the radiolucent area of the radiopaque target
Data Source
AI summary
Some of the present methods include, and some embodiments of the present systems are configured for gaining access to a patient's vessel by way of the vessel (i.e. from the inside out). Some embodiments facilitate gaining access to an occluded vessel, where part of the access path is through the occlusion.