Catheter Insertion Tool with Segmented Guide-Tube Valve Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insertion tools for medical probes with irrigation hubs face issues of hemostatic valve damage due to interaction with basket catheters and fail to effectively seal the guide tube during insertion and retraction, leading to fluid ingress or egress.
Innovation Solution
An insertion tool design featuring a first body with a hemostatic valve and a second body with a guide tube and a biased valve that includes seals to prevent fluid flow, coupled with a valve stop to protect the hemostatic valve and ensure sealing, allowing for irrigation and safe catheter insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional insertion tool with a hemostatic valve is used to collapse the basket catheter for insertion, then the basket catheter can be inserted into the sheath, but the hemostatic valve may be damaged by interaction with the basket spines
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion tool is divided into two separate bodies: a first body containing the hemostatic valve and a second body containing the guide tube. This segmentation isolates the hemostatic valve from direct interaction with the basket catheter spines, preventing damage while maintaining the collapse function through the separate guide tube mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the guide tube is left open during catheter retraction, then the catheter can be easily removed, but fluid may escape or ingress through the guide tube
Solution Approach 1:
A valve is disposed within the guide tube that is pre-configured to close automatically when the catheter is retracted from the sheath. This preliminary action of having the valve ready to close prevents fluid egress without requiring manual intervention, while still allowing easy catheter removal during the insertion phase when the valve remains open.
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 prevents hemostatic valve damage and ensures fluid containment during catheter insertion and retraction, maintaining sealing integrity and enabling efficient irrigation to the target anatomical region.
Implementation Method 1
The valve can comprise at least two seals biased toward one another, and the at least two seals can interface with one another to seal the guide tube and prevent backflow into the chamber
Implementation Method 2
The at least two seals can comprise silicone
Implementation Method 3
Each of the two seals can be biased by a compression spring
Implementation Method 4
a first body comprising a hemostatic valve configured to receive a flexible shaft and prevent fluid from flowing past the hemostatic valve
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The disclosed technology includes an insertion tool including a first body comprising a hemostatic valve configured to receive a flexible shaft and prevent fluid from flowing past the hemostatic valve. The insertion tool can include a second body coupled to the first body, with the second body including: a chamber, a guide tube smaller than the chamber, and a valve. The guide tube can be connected distal to the chamber and along a longitudinal axis of the second body to guide a flexible shaft into a sheath and the valve can be disposed at least partially in the guide tube. The valve can be biased to a closed position and upon insertion of a flexible shaft through the valve to prevent fluid from flowing past the valve.