Catheter Insertion Device Using Ramp-Gripper Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with limited mobility face challenges in self-insertion of urinary catheters due to difficulty in managing the insertion process without significant aid.
Innovation Solution
A catheter insertion device with a hollow housing, ramps for deflection, impingement surfaces, and an advancing sleeve mechanism that assists in the insertion and prevention of catheter rearward movement, along with an introducer tip and collection bag, facilitating easy and independent use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional catheter insertion method is used, then the procedure can be completed, but patients with limited mobility cannot perform self-insertion independently
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into distinct components: a catheter portion, an advancing sleeve, and a housing with separate functional elements (ramps, gripper surfaces, longitudinal slots). This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function that simplifies the overall insertion process for patients with limited mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The advancing sleeve acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the catheter. It provides mechanical assistance through ramps and gripper surfaces to advance the catheter forward while preventing backward movement, enabling patients with limited hand strength or dexterity to perform self-insertion independently.
2Ease of operation
If an advancing mechanism is added to assist insertion, then ease of self-insertion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The advancing mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including an inwardly and outwardly deflectable projection, ramps with specific incline angles (1°-60°), and gripper surfaces that move during operation. These dynamic features enable automatic engagement and disengagement of the catheter during insertion and removal, reducing the complexity of manual manipulation for patients.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the interaction of the deflectable projection with the ramps. As the sleeve is pushed forward, the projection automatically engages the decline ramp to compress the catheter and engage gripper surfaces, then uses the incline ramp to release and advance the catheter without requiring additional user actions.
3Reliability
If gripper surfaces are added to prevent rearward movement, then catheter stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opposed pair of gripper or impingement surfaces are configured as essentially semi-circular in shape. This curved geometry naturally conforms to the cylindrical shape of the catheter, providing reliable friction-based gripping to prevent rearward movement during insertion while maintaining simplicity in the mechanism design.
4Force
If ramps with specific incline angles are used, then mechanical advantage for advancement is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ramps are designed with specific incline angle parameters (ranging from 1° to 60°, with preferred ranges of 5°-30°) to optimize mechanical advantage. These parameter specifications provide a range of acceptable values that balance mechanical effectiveness with manufacturing tolerances, allowing for practical fabrication while maintaining functional performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter insertion device which employs back-and-forth longitudinal axial movement to advance the catheter by the cooperative interface of an incline ramp and a decline ramp with a split gripping mechanism is described.