Catheter Flushing Mandrel Tapered Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flushing coaxial catheters is difficult and time-consuming due to the need for separate connections and manual sealing, which increases handling time and risks contamination in medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A mandrel with a proximal major diameter barrel section, a tapered portion, and a distal minor diameter barrel section is used to form a fluid seal with the guidewire exit port of the outer lumen, allowing simultaneous flushing of both the inner and outer lumens by inserting the mandrel into the inner lumen and using it to direct flushing fluid through the outer lumen, then removing it to flush the inner lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate connections are made to flush inner lumen and outer lumen, then flushing can be performed, but flushing becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel combines multiple flushing functions into a single device. It simultaneously seals the guidewire exit port and provides access to both the inner lumen (through its central bore) and outer lumen (through the space between the mandrel and catheter wall), eliminating the need for separate connections and manual sealing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel serves multiple functions: it acts as a seal against the guidewire exit port, provides a pathway for flushing the inner lumen through its central bore, and enables flushing of the outer lumen through the annular space between the mandrel and catheter wall. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing comprehensive flushing through a single device.
2Reliability
If manual sealing is performed with fingers, then flushing operation can be sealed, but additional handling and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel extracts the sealing function from manual finger sealing and incorporates it into a sterile, disposable medical device. The tapered portion of the mandrel creates a reliable fluid seal against the guidewire exit port through its geometric design, eliminating the need for manual sealing and associated contamination risks.
3Productivity
If extra handling is performed for separate connections, then flushing can be completed, but time in surgical suite increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mandrel is pre-configured with the appropriate dimensions and geometry (tapered portion, central bore, and annular space) to perform multiple flushing operations simultaneously. This preliminary design eliminates the need for sequential connections and manual sealing steps during the surgical procedure, directly reducing surgical suite time.
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 method reduces the time and effort required for catheter flushing, eliminates the need for manual sealing, and ensures thorough fluid exchange, making the process more efficient and hygienic.
Implementation Method 1
the tapered portion is sized to form a fluid seal with the guidewire exit port on the outer lumen of the coaxial catheter
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A mandrel includes a mandrel body with a proximal major diameter barrel section, a diameter reducing/tapered portion and a distal minor diameter barrel section. The tapered portion connects the proximal major diameter barrel section and distal minor diameter barrel section. The proximal major diameter barrel section has a major diameter, the distal minor diameter barrel section has a minor diameter, the minor diameter less than the major diameter. The minor diameter is less than a diameter of an inner lumen of a coaxial catheter, and the major diameter exceeds the inner diameter of the outer lumen guidewire exit port of the coaxial catheter, and the tapered portion is sized to form a fluid seal the inner diameter of the outer lumen guidewire exit port. The distal minor diameter barrel section of the mandrel occupies and substantially seals and prevent flow through it to the catheter distal end guidewire entry port.