Hemodialysis Catheter Hub Attachment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hemodialysis catheter systems face challenges in securely attaching the catheter hub to the elongated catheter after subcutaneous tunneling, which can lead to fluid communication issues and instability during the procedure.

Innovation Solution

The catheter system incorporates various hub attachment mechanisms, including locking collars, elastomeric sleeves, and suture wings, that allow for secure attachment of the catheter hub to the catheter tube post-implantation, ensuring fluid communication and stability through compressive frictional relationships and sealing mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the catheter hub is attached to the elongated catheter after subcutaneous tunneling, then the catheter system can be assembled in vivo, but the attachment mechanism must provide sufficient stability and fluid communication without compromising reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepost-implantation attachment capabilityVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter system is divided into separate components (elongated catheter and catheter hub) that can be attached after implantation. The catheter is inserted through the subcutaneous tunnel first, then the hub is attached externally at the skin surface, allowing staged assembly and reducing surgical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A collar structure serves as an intermediary component between the catheter and hub. The collar is attached to the catheter and provides a mounting interface for the hub, facilitating secure connection while maintaining the ability to assemble components separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a secure attachment mechanism is used to prevent disconnection, then attachment stability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple attachment features are combined into a single integrated collar structure. The collar incorporates locking features, sealing surfaces, and mounting interfaces all in one component, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar is pre-attached to the catheter during catheter preparation, so that when the hub is attached to the collar, the connection is already stabilized. This preliminary attachment step simplifies the final assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the attachment mechanism provides fluid communication between hub and catheter, then functional effectiveness is improved, but the risk of fluid communication issues increases if attachment fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid communicationVSAvoidfluid communication failures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing mechanism is incorporated at the interface between the collar and hub to prevent fluid leakage. The sealing feature is built into the attachment structure, providing a backup against fluid communication failures even if the mechanical connection experiences stress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 secure attachment of the catheter hub to the catheter tube maintains fluid communication and stability, enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of the hemodialysis procedure by preventing disconnection and ensuring proper fluid flow.

Implementation Method 1

secure attachment of the catheter hub to the catheter tube post-implantation, ensuring fluid communication and stability through compressive frictional relationships

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The catheter system incorporates various hub attachment mechanisms, including locking collars, elastomeric sleeves, and suture wings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The catheter system incorporates various hub attachment mechanisms, including locking collars, elastomeric sleeves, and suture wings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2589407B1Catheter system with attachable catheter hub
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP2589407B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2589407B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2589407B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A hemodialysis catheter assembly adapted for use in a subcutaneous tunneling procedure incorporates a mechanism for securing the catheter hub member (110) to the elongated catheter (14), and to provide the requisite fluid communication between fluid passages within the hub and the catheter lumens within the catheter. The catheter hub member may be connected to the elongated catheter after implantation of the catheter via a subcutaneous tunneling procedure.