Catheter Lumen Clearing Head for Mechanical Deposit Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter clearing methods, such as mechanical brushes or chemical agents, are inefficient, require significant manual dexterity, can cause patient discomfort, and may damage catheters or surrounding tissues, and often involve multiple steps or components.

Innovation Solution

A catheter clearing system with a shaft and head configured to engage the inner surface of the catheter lumen, allowing for mechanical removal of deposits without chemicals, using a handle to urge the head proximally to clear deposits, and a retaining ring to secure the head at the distal end.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical clearing devices (brushes or wires) are used to remove deposits, then clearing effectiveness is improved, but operation complexity and risk of patient injury increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearing effectivenessVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clearing device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a soft tip portion for gentle contact with the catheter lumen, a flexible shaft for navigation, and a handle for operation. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying overall operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes flexible materials throughout its structure, particularly in the shaft and tip portions, allowing it to conform to the catheter lumen geometry while maintaining ease of manipulation. The flexible construction reduces operation complexity by allowing the device to adapt to various catheter configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If mechanical clearing devices are introduced distally, then deposit removal capability is improved, but risk of deposit displacement towards body cavity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit removal capabilityVSAvoiddeposit displacement risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of introducing the clearing device distally and pushing deposits toward the body cavity, the device is designed to be inserted proximally and pull deposits out through the catheter tip. This inverted approach eliminates the harmful effect of deposit displacement while maintaining effective clearing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If chemical agents are used to dissolve deposits, then clearing effectiveness is improved for certain deposit types, but risk of catheter or tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearing effectivenessVSAvoidcatheter or tissue damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces chemical clearing agents with a mechanical clearing device that uses a soft, flexible tip to physically remove deposits through gentle contact and retrieval motions. This substitution eliminates the harmful chemical effects while maintaining clearing effectiveness through controlled mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If combined mechanical and chemical clearing methods are used, then clearing capability is improved, but time consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclearing capabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the chemical agent component from the clearing system, using solely a mechanical device with a soft tip for deposit removal. This simplification reduces system complexity and time consumption by removing the need for chemical preparation, application, and waiting periods, while maintaining effective clearing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Facilitates efficient mechanical clearing of catheter lumens, reducing the need for chemical agents, minimizing patient discomfort, and preventing damage to catheters or tissues, while maintaining patency and reducing medical waste.

Implementation Method 1

an outer surface of the head configured engage an inner surface of the catheter lumen as the head is urged proximally through the catheter lumen to clear a deposit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250303110A1Catheter Clearing System and Methods

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 CR BARD INC

AI summary

Catheter lumen clearing systems include a catheter and a lumen clearing system. The catheter includes a catheter tube defining a lumen. The lumen clearing system comprises a shaft extending longitudinally through the catheter lumen, a handle disposed at a proximal end of the shaft, and a head disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The outer surface of the head is configured to engage the inner surface of the catheter lumen as the head is urged proximally through the catheter lumen. This engagement allows the head to effectively clear a deposit from the catheter lumen, ensuring unobstructed flow and optimal performance of the catheter.