Catheter Access Through Neck Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for accessing the central venous system are inadequate when a major vein is blocked with a clot or fibrous occlusion, as they often require sequential sacrifice of major vessels, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system that approaches the central venous system from the inside out, using a radiopaque target to guide a needle wire through an occluded vessel in the neck, allowing for straight trajectory access and dilation to create a usable track for further intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional direct puncture method is used to access central venous system, then access can be obtained quickly, but it becomes impossible when major vein is blocked with clot or fibrous occlusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to occluded vessels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by accessing the central venous system from the inside out (femoral vein entry) rather than from the outside in (neck puncture). This allows the catheter to approach the occlusion from a distal location and traverse it, enabling access when conventional proximal puncture is blocked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a guide catheter as an intermediary device that navigates through the occluded vessel and positions a needle wire through the occlusion. This intermediary approach allows traversal of the blocked vessel without requiring direct puncture at the occlusion site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If alternate major vessel is used when one vessel is occluded, then access can be maintained, but sequential sacrifice of major vessels is undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevenous access maintenanceVSAvoidvessel sacrifice

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers the occluded vessel by creating a new access track through it, rather than discarding it and using an alternate vessel. The needle wire creates a track through the occlusion that can be dilated and used for introducer placement, salvaging the originally blocked vessel for future use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If needle wire is launched through occlusion to pre-determined exit location, then straight trajectory access is achieved, but precise positioning and aiming are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory controlVSAvoidexit point positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by placing radiopaque markers on the patient's skin at the desired exit location before needle wire insertion. The guide catheter is also positioned in advance at the occlusion site, allowing the needle wire to be launched along a pre-determined trajectory with the exit point already marked for precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11383065B2Occlusion access method

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A catheter system for accessing the central venous system through an occlusion in the neck region.