Catheter Locking Component Compresses Against Stem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter connection systems often damage the catheter lumen wall by pressing it against sharp edges of engagement barbs, which can lead to complications during fluid infusion or withdrawal procedures.
Innovation Solution
A two-part locking component that slides over the catheter proximal end and compresses it against a stem, minimizing contact with protuberances, providing a secure and sealed connection without direct pressure on the catheter wall, usable with both barbed and rounded protuberances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compression sleeve is used to lock the catheter onto the stem, then the catheter is securely locked to the stem, but the catheter lumen wall is damaged by sharp edges of engagement barbs
Solution Approach 1:
A locking component with a smooth interior surface is introduced as an intermediary between the catheter lumen wall and the engagement barbs. This mediator allows the catheter to be compressed and locked onto the stem while preventing direct contact between the catheter wall and sharp barb edges, thus securing the connection without causing damage
Solution Approach 2:
The locking component is divided into distinct functional segments: an interior smooth surface for catheter contact, an exterior surface for stem engagement, and a compression mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the smooth interior protects the catheter while the exterior provides secure locking
2Strength
If the catheter lumen wall is compressed against protuberances for locking, then the connection is secure, but the sharp edges of protuberances damage the catheter
Solution Approach 1:
The locking component serves as a mediator that transmits the compressive force needed for secure locking while protecting the catheter wall from direct contact with sharp protuberance edges. The smooth interior surface of the locking component distributes the compression force without concentrating stress at sharp edges
3Reliability
If a locking component is designed to compress the catheter against the stem, then a sealed connection is achieved, but the catheter material may be damaged by direct pressure on the lumen wall
Solution Approach 1:
The locking component is designed with different surface qualities in different locations: a smooth interior surface where it contacts the catheter lumen wall to prevent damage, and an exterior surface configured for engagement with the stem protuberances. This local differentiation of surface properties allows effective compression for sealing while protecting the catheter from damage
Data Source
AI summary
A locking component (100,200,300,400) for locking a catheter proximal end onto a stem (16,56) of a medical device. The locking component has upper and lower parts (104,102;204,202) that self-secure to each other, preferably in a first position partially open but still assembled, and a second position, locked fully together. The locking component has a compression surface (106,206) to compress the catheter lumen wall against the stem at a location axially offset from the protuberance(s) along the stem of the medical device. A method is disclosed for mechanically securing a catheter to a medical device that can involve placing the pre-assembled locking component along the catheter prior to securing the proximal catheter end to the stem of the medical device and then moving the locking component into position around the stem and then pressing it together into its second locked position, compressing the catheter lumen wall against the stem.