Catheter Entry Port Flaring for Smooth Device Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical catheters face issues with the catching of medical devices at the entry port due to mismatches in diameters, leading to increased force requirements and procedural difficulties during device delivery.
Innovation Solution
A flaring device is used to increase the cross-sectional dimension of the catheter entry port without altering the outer diameter of the catheter, using a pin to advance into the entry port and create a flared lip that matches the inner diameter of the guide catheter, reducing the mismatch and facilitating smooth device delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entry port cross-sectional dimension is increased to facilitate device introduction, then device delivery ease is improved, but the outer diameter of the catheter must be increased which adversely impacts navigability through vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with a flared entry port region that has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the main body of the catheter. This local modification allows the entry port to accommodate larger medical devices while the rest of the catheter maintains a smaller outer diameter for navigability through vasculature.
Solution Approach 2:
The entry port is flared in the radial dimension while the longitudinal dimension (catheter length) and main body diameter are kept small. This dimensional differentiation allows the entry port to provide a larger opening without increasing the overall catheter profile that must navigate through blood vessels.
2Reliability
If the entry port cross-sectional dimension is increased to reduce device catching, then device delivery reliability is improved, but the catheter structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire catheter structure complex, only the entry port region is modified with a flared geometry. This localized structural change reduces device catching at the entry port while keeping the rest of the catheter structure simple and manageable.
3Productivity
If the entry port cross-sectional dimension is increased to facilitate device introduction, then procedural efficiency is improved, but the force required to deform the catheter material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flared entry port geometry is pre-formed during catheter manufacturing, creating a permanent structural feature that facilitates device introduction. This preliminary action eliminates the need to apply deformation force during the actual medical procedure, thereby improving procedural efficiency without requiring excessive force from the operator.
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 flared entry port allows for easier introduction of medical devices into the catheter lumen without impacting navigability through vasculature, reducing device catching and procedural challenges.
Implementation Method 1
The pin is configured to be advanced into the entry port of the catheter to increase a cross-sectional dimension of the entry port
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Catheter flaring device (560) includes a housing and a pin (550). The housing includes an interior surface (564) defining a cavity (566) configured to receive at least a portion of a catheter having an entry port (508) and engage an exterior surface (503) of the catheter (502) proximate the entry port. The pin is configured to be advanced into the entry port of the catheter to increase a cross-sectional dimension of the entry port. Flaring the entry port may help reduce catching of a medical device on the entry port of the catheter during a medical procedure.