Epidural Catheter Bend Indicators for Precise Spinal Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing epidural catheters lack clear reference points for bending, making it difficult to consistently maneuver the distal end within specific anatomical regions, such as the cervical, upper thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine, which can lead to unintended tissue damage or improper medication administration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating bend indicators at specific distances from the catheter tip, such as 15 mm and 25 mm, allows users to accurately bend the catheter for procedures in tight or less tight spaces, enabling a single catheter to be used for various spinal regions by providing visible markings for consistent bending locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bend indicators are added to the catheter, then the precision of bending location and direction control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates visual bend indicators that change appearance or provide visual feedback when the catheter is bent to the desired degree, allowing users to accurately determine bending location and angle without complex measurement instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with visual indicators embedded in the catheter structure, using optical properties rather than mechanical sensors to indicate bending state
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bend indicators are provided for different spinal regions, then the versatility of the catheter is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with multiple bend indicators at different locations along its length, allowing a single catheter device to be used for multiple spinal regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral) by bending at different indicator locations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized catheters
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is segmented into multiple functional zones marked by bend indicators, where each segment can be independently bent to target different spinal regions, allowing modular adaptation to various procedural needs
3Ease of operation
If the catheter is made more flexible to allow bending, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to maintain consistent bend configuration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter incorporates materials or structural features that change their mechanical properties at specific locations, allowing easy bending at marked indicators while maintaining configuration stability once bent, through controlled variations in flexibility parameters along the catheter length
Data Source
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AI summary
Epidural catheters include a tubular member and at least one bend indicator located proximate a distal end of the tubular member to provide a reference point for a user to bend the catheter. Catheter assemblies may include such catheters. Methods of inserting an epidural catheter having a bent distal into a patient include bending a catheter at a location proximate at least one bend indicator formed proximate a distal end of the catheter and inserting at least a portion of the catheter into a patient. Methods of making an epidural catheter include forming a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and forming at least one bend indicator on the catheter proximate the distal end of the tubular member to provide a reference point for a user to bend the catheter.