Catheter Sensor With Sliding Markings for Tissue Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters often experience fluid infiltration into surrounding tissues due to poor placement or dislodgement, leading to leakage and requiring immediate detection and corrective action.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly comprising two elongate sensor members with markings and adhesive ends, translating relative to each other to visually or electronically indicate fluid infiltration at the catheter site, using adhesive coupling and sliding mechanisms to detect position changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional catheter is used without infiltration detection, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of fluid delivery is compromised due to undetected infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into separate sensor members (first elongate sensor member and second elongate sensor member) that can independently detect infiltration at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to monitor multiple points along the catheter path, improving detection reliability without requiring a single complex sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly acts as an intermediary between the catheter and the infiltration detection function. It includes adhesive members that couple the sensor to the patient's skin, envelope structures that contain and protect the sensor members, and marking systems that provide visual indication of infiltration. This intermediary structure enables reliable detection while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If adhesive members are used to couple sensor members to the patient, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive members are pre-positioned on the sensor members during manufacturing, and the envelope structure is pre-configured with openings that guide the adhesive members to their correct positions. This preliminary preparation simplifies the clinical application process while ensuring that when the sensor is applied, the adhesive members are already in the correct locations for accurate infiltration detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking system on the sensor assembly provides visual copies or indicators of the correct positioning. The markings allow clinicians to verify that the sensor members are properly aligned with the catheter and infusion site, ensuring manufacturing precision is achieved without requiring complex positioning procedures during application.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor members are made translatable to detect infiltration, then the measurement precision of infiltration detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor members are designed to be translatable relative to each other along the catheter path. The first elongate sensor member can move within the envelope of the second elongate sensor member, allowing the system to dynamically detect changes in position that indicate fluid infiltration. This dynamic capability provides precise measurement while using a relatively simple mechanical translation mechanism rather than complex electronic sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly includes visual markings that provide color or visual change indicators to show the relative position of the sensor members. When infiltration occurs and the sensor members translate relative to each other, the markings provide visual feedback that indicates the degree of infiltration. This visual indication system provides precise measurement information without requiring complex electronic display systems.
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
Enables quick identification of fluid infiltration, allowing for timely intervention to prevent further infiltration and reduce swelling or discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
The first end of the first elongate sensor member that protrudes from the open end of the envelope includes a first adhesive member by which the first elongate sensor member can be immediately coupled to the patient at the first location
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor for detecting infiltration at a catheter infusion site may include a first elongate sensor member couplable to a first location proximate the catheter infusion site, and a second elongate sensor member couplable to a second location proximate the catheter infusion site. The first elongate sensor member may include a first marking and the second elongate sensor member may include a second marking. The first elongate sensor member may slidably couple with and translate relative to the second elongate sensor. The first and second markings may indicate a range of relative positions between the first and second elongate sensor members as the first and second elongate sensor members translate relative to each other. At least one relative position within a range of relative positions between the first and second elongate sensor members may be indicative of infiltration at the catheter infusion site.