Catheter Insertion Tool With Shape-Preserving Side Aperture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter insertion tools often alter the preformed shape of the distal portion of the catheter during storage and shipping, making it difficult to insert the catheter into introducer sheaths without causing damage or misalignment.

Innovation Solution

An insertion tool with a sidewall aperture that allows the distal portion of the catheter to extend unconstrained, maintaining its preformed shape, and a mechanism to rotate the catheter within the tool to align it correctly for insertion into an introducer sheath.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the catheter is stored and shipped within a conventional insertion tool, then the insertion tool provides protection and containment, but the preformed shape of the distal portion of the catheter is altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter shape stabilityVSAvoidinsertion tool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion tool is divided into separate functional components: a body portion for containment and a distal portion with an aperture for shape preservation. This segmentation allows the catheter to be protected during storage while maintaining its preformed shape at the distal end, resolving the contradiction between protection and shape stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture in the distal portion of the insertion tool acts as an intermediary element that allows the catheter's preformed shape to extend beyond the constrained environment of the insertion tool lumen. This mediator enables the catheter to maintain its shape while still receiving protection during storage and shipping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the catheter is constrained within the insertion tool lumen for a long period, then the insertion tool provides protection, but the preformed shape of the distal portion is changed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter protectionVSAvoiddistal portion shape

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion tool is segmented into a proximal body portion and a distal portion with an aperture. This segmentation allows the catheter to be protected during storage while maintaining its preformed shape at the distal end, resolving the contradiction between protection and shape stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The aperture creates a dimensional transition from the constrained internal lumen space to an external extension space. This allows the catheter's distal portion to extend through the aperture and maintain its preformed shape in a different spatial dimension, resolving the contradiction between protection and shape preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the catheter is pre-loaded onto the insertion tool, then the insertion tool provides protection during shipping, but the catheter cannot be easily inserted into the introducer sheath

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping efficiencyVSAvoidcatheter insertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is pre-loaded onto the insertion tool in advance, providing protection during shipping and storage. The distal portion of the catheter extends through the aperture in a preformed state, ready for immediate use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for reconfiguration during the procedure, resolving the contradiction between shipping efficiency and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion tool is segmented into a body portion and a distal portion with an aperture. This segmentation allows the catheter to be protected during storage while maintaining its preformed shape at the distal end, resolving the contradiction between protection and shape stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If the distal portion of the catheter is constrained within the insertion tool, then the insertion tool provides protection, but the catheter requires reconfiguration during the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter protectionVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250235674A1Catheter insertion tool

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

In insertion tool configured to facilitate insertion and/or introduction of a catheter into an inner lumen of a delivery sheath includes an insertion tool body defining proximal and distal openings, a side aperture, and an insertion tool lumen. The insertion tool is configured to be pre-loaded onto a catiieter such that at least a portion of a distal portion of a catheter extends out of the side aperture. For example, the insertion tool is configured, to enable the distal portion of the catheter to be preloaded within at least a portion of the insertion tool lumen in an unconstrained state. e.g., without constraining a curve and/or bend of the distal portion of the catiieter within the insertion tool lumen.