Catheter Distal Tip Stepped Surface Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Over-the-needle peripheral IV catheters often buckle or move proximally during insertion due to soft material limitations, leading to increased insertion force and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a distal tip constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material and a stepped surface, combined with an introducer needle featuring a corresponding stepped surface, which inhibits proximal movement of the catheter tip, allowing the softer tubular portion to be used for insertion while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the IV catheter is constructed of softer material to improve patient comfort and reduce irritation, then patient comfort is improved, but columnar strength decreases making it unable to resist forces required to penetrate skin and tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct segments: a soft tubular portion for patient comfort and a separate hardened distal tip section with a stepped surface for structural strength during insertion. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal tip of the catheter is given different material properties (hardened with increased durometer) compared to the rest of the tubular portion. This local quality change provides the necessary strength at the insertion point while maintaining softness in the indwelling portion for patient comfort.
2Reliability
If the IV catheter is constructed of softer material to improve indwelling, then indwelling quality is improved, but the catheter tends to buckle, peel back, or move proximally during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure is segmented into a soft tubular portion for reliable indwelling and a separate hardened distal tip with stepped surface features for stability during insertion. The stepped surface provides mechanical engagement to prevent buckling and proximal movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The distal tip is pre-hardened and equipped with a stepped surface structure before insertion to provide the necessary stability and resistance against buckling and peeling during the insertion process, ensuring the catheter remains stable before indwelling begins.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter distal tip moves proximally away from the introducer needle during insertion, then insertion becomes more difficult, but this proximal movement causes enlarged cross-section requiring greater insertion force and increased patient pain
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped surface on the distal tip is designed to engage with the introducer needle, creating a mechanical constraint that prevents proximal movement and buckling before insertion occurs. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the tendency to peel back, maintaining a compact profile during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter distal tip is pre-configured with a hardened stepped surface that engages with the introducer needle to maintain proper positioning and prevent proximal movement during the insertion process, ensuring smooth insertion with minimal patient discomfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter assembly may include an over-the-needle catheter and introducer needle. The catheter may include a distal tip and an elongate tubular portion proximate the distal tip of the catheter. The distal tip may be constructed of a first material and may include at least a portion of a stepped surface. The tubular portion may be constructed of a second material having a harder durometer than the first material. The introducer needle may include a needle feature having another stepped surface configured to abut the stepped surface of the catheter when the introducer needle is in an insertion position such that proximal movement of the distal tip of the catheter relative to the introducer needle is inhibited.