Suction Catheter Adaptor Valve Biasing for Neonatal Tube Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction catheter adaptors often cause buckling or bending of fragile suction catheter tubes due to engagement against closed valves, particularly in neonatal patients, as they are advanced through airway adaptors, leading to stress on the tubes.
Innovation Solution
A suction catheter adaptor design that biases the valve to permit the catheter tube to be inserted and retracted with minimal stress, using a tapered adaptor body and seal configuration to guide the tube while maintaining a seal and preventing air transfer from the ventilator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed valve is used to obstruct the access port and isolate the breathing circuit, then the breathing circuit is isolated from the ambient environment, but the suction catheter tube experiences buckling or bending due to engagement against the closed valve
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is biased toward the open position before the suction catheter is inserted, allowing the catheter to pass through without engaging against a closed valve. This preliminary positioning of the valve eliminates the buckling problem while maintaining the ability to isolate the breathing circuit when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with a biasing mechanism that allows it to dynamically transition between open and closed positions. The bias toward the open position facilitates catheter insertion, while the valve can be actuated to the closed position for isolation, providing adaptability to different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If a valve is used to obstruct the access port, then the breathing circuit can be isolated, but the suction catheter tube is subjected to torsional, shear, and tensile stress during insertion and retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is preliminarily positioned in the open state to facilitate stress-free passage of the suction catheter. By ensuring the valve is open before insertion begins, the system eliminates the engagement forces that would otherwise create torsional, shear, and tensile stresses on the catheter tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The biased valve acts as an intermediary element that can be positioned to either facilitate catheter passage (open position) or provide isolation (closed position). This intermediary mechanism allows the system to switch between isolation and instrument access without subjecting the catheter to harmful stresses.
3Strength
If the valve is biased to permit catheter insertion, then the catheter can be inserted and retracted with minimal stress, but the ability to isolate the breathing circuit must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to be dynamic, with a bias toward the open position that facilitates catheter insertion while allowing actuation to the closed position for isolation. This dynamic capability ensures both catheter integrity during insertion and reliable isolation when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve's position parameter can be changed between open and closed states. The bias toward the open position minimizes stress during catheter insertion, while the ability to change to the closed position maintains the isolation function, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
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
The design minimizes torsional, shear, and tensile stress on the suction catheter tube, allowing for safe and effective insertion and retraction while maintaining a sealed environment, reducing the risk of tube damage and air leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a valve configured to occlude the passageway, the valve comprising a resiliently flexible annular member and a plurality of valve segments separated by a slit
Implementation Method 2
the distal end of the adaptor body, when received into the proximal end of the airway adaptor, engages the ridge to bias the plurality of valve segments toward the distal end of the airway adaptor such that the slit is expanded to fluidly couple the airway adaptor passageway and adaptor body passageway through the valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An exemplary suction catheter adaptor includes an adaptor body (200) having a passageway between a proximal end (202) and a distal end (204) of the adaptor body. The proximal end of the adaptor body receives an instrument (10) and, when coupled with an airway adaptor (400) having a valve (460) within a passageway between a proximal end (402) and a distal end (404) of the airway adaptor, the distal end of the adaptor body deflects the valve to permit the instrument to be advanced or retracted through the valve. A seal (208) within the passageway of the adaptor body is biased to engage the valve during advancement of an instrument toward the valve, and the seal is disengaged when the instrument is retracted away from the valve. The valve, when not engaged, occludes the passageway between a proximal end and a distal end of the airway adaptor.