Enteral Feeding Catheter Balloon Inflation Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balloon catheters for gastrostomy tubes lack a simple and reliable method for visually indicating pressure changes, which is crucial for maintaining proper inflation and preventing complications like leaks and tissue damage, especially in low-profile devices where mechanical indicators are complex and prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A balloon catheter device with an internal cavity in the base that is in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon, using a translucent window to provide a discrete visual signal of inflation status through colored fluid, eliminating the need for movable parts and reducing device complexity and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical pressure indicators are used in low-profile gastrostomy devices, then continuous pressure monitoring is achieved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure indication function from complex mechanical indicator systems and implements it through a simple translucent window that allows direct visualization of balloon inflation status. This eliminates the need for bellows, diaphragms, or electronic sensors, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the balloon's internal state by making the base material translucent. This allows external observation of the balloon's inflation status without adding mechanical indicator components, achieving pressure monitoring while maintaining device simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical indicators are added to provide pressure information, then measurement capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to movable parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all movable parts from the pressure indication system by using a static translucent window design. The balloon itself serves as the indicator through the translucent material, eliminating failure points associated with mechanical bellows, diaphragms, or electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon serves its own indication function by being visible through the translucent base material. No separate indicator mechanism is needed - the balloon's inflation state directly communicates pressure information, improving reliability through self-indication without additional components.
3Reliability
If traditional balloon retainers are used, then catheter retention is achieved, but insertion and withdrawal procedures become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamic balloon that can be inflated and deflated to facilitate insertion and withdrawal. The balloon is deflated during insertion to pass through the stoma, then inflated to provide retention, and can be deflated again for easy withdrawal, simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining reliable retention during use.
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 solution provides a clear, externally visible indication of balloon inflation status without increasing the device's profile or mechanical complexity, enhancing reliability and ease of use while preventing leaks and ensuring proper catheter retention.
Implementation Method 1
The base is made of a translucent material that allows the internal cavity and colored fluid to be visible from outside the device
Implementation Method 2
When the balloon is inflated, the colored fluid causes the base to change color or become more opaque, providing a visual indicator of inflation status
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A balloon catheter device, for example an enteral feeding catheter, includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and catheter walls defining a catheter lumen. A base is located at the proximal end of the catheter and has an opening to the catheter lumen. An inflatable balloon is located at a distal end of the catheter and is inflated through an inflation valve located on the base. An internal cavity is defined in the base and is in fluid communication with the inflatable balloon such that fluid used to inflate the balloon to an operational fill volume fills the internal cavity as well. A translucent window is disposed over the internal cavity such that an interior volume of the cavity is externally viewable. Introduction of a colored fluid through the inflation valve to inflate the balloon results in the colored fluid also being present in the internal cavity, thereby providing an externally visual indication of the inflation state of the balloon.