Guidewire-Guided Pliable Catheter Insertion With Blood Flashback Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Difficult vascular access, particularly for central veins, is a common issue in healthcare due to the inflexibility of existing catheters, leading to dislodgement and difficulty in confirming access, especially in emergency situations where time is constrained.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system comprising a syringe, access needle, and pliable catheter guided by a guidewire, allowing for quick and functional placement into the patient's anatomy, with features like luer locks and tapered tips for ease of insertion and secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a longer single lumen catheter is used for central vein access, then the catheter can reach central veins, but the catheter becomes inflexible and may dislodge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter lengthVSAvoidcatheter flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is divided into multiple lumens (first lumen, second lumen, third lumen) within a single catheter body, allowing different functional zones along the catheter length. This segmentation enables the catheter to maintain flexibility while reaching central veins, as each lumen can be optimized for specific functions at different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is designed with multiple lumens serving different functions: the first lumen for fluid injection, the second lumen for fluid withdrawal, and the third lumen for guidewire passage. This multi-functionality allows a single catheter to perform multiple operations, reducing the need for separate catheters and improving overall flexibility in clinical use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If standard peripheral IV catheters are used for central vein access, then the procedure is simpler, but access confirmation is difficult without a blood flash

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter insertion simplicityVSAvoidaccess confirmation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter includes a distal lumen that provides visual feedback during insertion by allowing blood to flow back and be visible, confirming proper placement in the central vein. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for separate confirmation procedures and improves placement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If ultrasound guided peripheral IV catheters are used for central access, then access can be obtained, but the catheters are not well suited for central veins due to length and flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess success rateVSAvoidcatheter length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing it to bend and conform to vascular anatomy while maintaining sufficient length for central vein access. The catheter material and construction enable it to be rigid enough for insertion but flexible enough to follow the natural curves of blood vessels, preventing dislodgement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If multiple catheter components are used for central line access, then functionality is improved, but the procedure becomes more time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter functionalityVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple catheter functions are merged into a single integrated catheter device with multiple lumens. The first lumen for injection, second lumen for withdrawal, and third lumen for guidewire passage are all contained within one catheter, eliminating the need for multiple separate catheters and reducing procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is pre-assembled with all necessary lumens and connections in the correct configuration before sterilization. This preliminary assembly eliminates time-consuming assembly steps during the procedure, allowing the catheter to be ready for immediate use while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12478765B2Catheter system and method of introducing an intravenous catheter into a patient

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 NORTHWARD VENTURES LLC

AI summary

A catheter system and method of introducing an intravenous catheter into a patient includes a syringe, an access needle, a pliable catheter, and a guidewire. The syringe has a first chamber and a distal syringe end portion, which defines a conduit distally extending to a distal syringe opening such that the conduit fluidly connects the first chamber to the distal syringe opening. The access needle defines a needle lumen longitudinally extending therethrough and is secured relative to the distal syringe end portion. The pliable catheter is releasably secured relative to the access needle. The guidewire distally extends through the conduit toward the distal syringe opening and is configured to selectively move through the conduit, the distal syringe opening, and along the needle lumen to thereby guide movement of the pliable catheter relative to the access needle for introducing the pliable catheter into the patient.