Catheter Internal Construct Flow Grooves for Vascular Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vascular access systems lack efficient control over blood flow rate, location, duration, and verification of proper device position within the vasculature, leading to potential complications such as uncontrolled bleeding and difficulty in maintaining access.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a catheter assembly with an internal construct featuring flow grooves and ridges within the catheter housing, allowing for controlled fluid flow rates and continuous verification of device position through a septum and retention structures, enabling customizable flow configurations for various vascular access devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an internal construct is added to the catheter housing to control fluid flow, then fluid flow rate control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow rate controlVSAvoidcatheter assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter housing is segmented with multiple flow grooves (first, second, third flow grooves) that divide the fluid flow path into separate channels. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow rates through different grooves, enabling precise flow regulation without requiring a complex external control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal construct including flow grooves and ridges is nested within the catheter housing, with the flow control features integrated into the housing structure itself. The retention construct is nested within the catheter assembly, allowing the internal components to be housed within the external housing, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining flow control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If flow grooves and ridges are created within the catheter housing to enable controlled fluid flow, then fluid flow optimization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidflow groove and ridge dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flow grooves and ridges are designed with specific local geometries optimized for their individual functions. Each groove (first, second, third flow grooves) has tailored dimensions and orientations to control fluid flow in specific directions, while the ridges provide localized structural support. This local optimization allows standard manufacturing processes to achieve the required precision without requiring ultra-precise machining throughout the entire housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a retention construct is added to retain the internal construct in position, then device position verification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice position verificationVSAvoidcatheter assembly components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention construct is merged with the internal construct, forming an integrated assembly where the retention features are built into the internal construct itself. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the ability to verify device position through the retained internal construct.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flow grooves are created to provide customizable flow configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow configuration optionsVSAvoidcatheter housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter housing is designed with multiple flow grooves (first, second, third flow grooves) that can serve different functions depending on clinical needs. These grooves provide universal flow control capabilities that can be adapted to various vascular access requirements, allowing a single catheter design to fulfill multiple clinical indications without requiring separate specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution provides enhanced control over blood flow rates, reduces the risk of uncontrolled bleeding, and ensures continuous verification of device position, improving the safety and efficacy of vascular access procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The internal construct includes an external surface. A plurality of flow grooves may exist between the internal surface of the catheter housing and the external surface of the internal construct. At least one ridge may exist adjacent the flow grooves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow control through geometric constraints: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2380617B1Method of optimizing the fluid flow parameters of an extravascular system.

Publication Date: 2020.01.08 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

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AI summary

An extravascular system (10) for accessing the vasculature of a patient may include a catheter assembly (12) and an internal construct (14) within the catheter assembly. At least one fluid flow space may exist between the internal construct and the catheter assembly.