Catheter Hub Redirecting Element for Air Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter hub and valve constructions may allow small amounts of air to remain in the system after flushing, posing a risk of air ingress into the patient's cardiovascular system, particularly when catheters are placed proximal to the brain, which can lead to stroke.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a hub with a side port and redirecting element that accelerates fluid flow to dislodge air bubbles, featuring a ramped surface to direct fluid flow proximally and enhance flushing, minimizing the risk of air introduction during medical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catheter hub and valve constructions are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but air may remain in the catheter after flushing and be introduced into the patient's body
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is divided into distinct functional regions including a proximal region, intermediate region, and distal region. The redirecting element creates segmented flow paths that guide fluid through specific zones to systematically eliminate air pockets. This segmentation allows thorough air removal while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A redirecting element is introduced as an intermediary component within the hub passage. This element mediates the fluid flow by redirecting it to specifically target air-trapping zones. The redirecting element acts as a flow mediator that enhances air elimination without requiring complete redesign of the hub and valve construction.
2Reliability
If flushing is performed to eliminate air from the catheter, then air removal is improved, but small amounts of air may still remain in difficult-to-reach areas of the hub and valve
Solution Approach 1:
The redirecting element is pre-positioned within the hub passage to create optimized flow paths before flushing begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that flushing fluid will automatically follow paths that target air-trapping zones, making the flushing operation more effective without requiring complex manual maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The redirecting element introduces a dimensional aspect to fluid flow by creating three-dimensional flow patterns within the hub passage. This allows flushing fluid to access air pockets in difficult-to-reach areas from multiple angles, improving complete air elimination while maintaining simple operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the catheter is placed proximal to the brain in the arterial system, then the risk of stroke from air embolism increases, but conventional hub designs do not provide sufficient air elimination
Solution Approach 1:
The redirecting element is extracted as a separate, dedicated component specifically designed to address air elimination. This component is integrated into the hub structure to provide enhanced air removal capabilities for critical applications without requiring complete redesign of the entire catheter system.
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of air introduction into the patient's body by ensuring thorough flushing of the catheter system, minimizing the likelihood of air embolism and associated complications.
Implementation Method 1
redirecting element that accelerates fluid flow to dislodge air bubbles
Implementation Method 2
ramped surface to direct fluid flow proximally and enhance flushing
Data Source
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AI summary
A hub is provided for a sheath, catheter, or other tubular device that includes a tubular body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a hub passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a valve mounted in the tubular body adjacent the proximal end comprising a proximal surface adjacent the proximal end and a distal surface adjacent an intermediate region of the hub passage; a side port comprising a first end coupled to an outer surface of the tubular body adjacent the intermediate region, a second outer end, and a port passage extending between the second end and the first end and communicating with the intermediate region of the hub passage; and a guide element in the side port adjacent the first end for directing fluid introduced into the second end through the port passage towards the distal surface of the valve.