Catheter Needle Angulation for Eccentric Tissue Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheters face challenges in accurately and controllably sampling eccentric tissue regions, leading to increased procedure time and risk of inaccurate sampling or puncturing blood vessels due to the inability to angulate the needle effectively.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with an offset mechanism, such as a ramp or curved stylet, that allows the needle to extend from the distal end at an angle diverging from the catheter's axis, enabling sampling of both concentric and eccentric tissue regions by angulating the needle to reach targeted areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a needle extends axially from the distal end of the catheter's lumen in a conventional catheter, then the catheter structure remains simple, but the ability to sample eccentric tissue regions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is configured to extend from the distal end of the catheter at an angle that diverges from the longitudinal axis of the lumen, transitioning from one-dimensional axial extension to two-dimensional angular positioning. This enables the needle to reach eccentric tissue regions that are not located straight ahead of the catheter's distal end.
2Measurement precision
If a user attempts to angulate a conventional catheter and needle to sample an eccentric tissue region, then the needle can potentially reach the target, but the angulation is inaccurate and uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly provides self-contained angulation control through its structural design, where the needle is pre-configured to extend at a specific divergent angle from the catheter axis. This eliminates the need for external manipulation or user skill to achieve accurate angulation, as the device inherently maintains the desired angular orientation.
3Reliability
If multiple attempts at sampling are undertaken to reach an eccentric tissue region, then the chance of successful sampling may increase, but the procedure time increases and the risk of puncturing blood vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is pre-configured with a divergent angle relative to the catheter's longitudinal axis before the procedure begins. This preliminary angular positioning allows the needle to reach eccentric tissue regions on the first attempt, eliminating the need for multiple retry attempts and reducing both procedure time and associated risks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple attempts at sampling are undertaken, then the probability of sticking a blood vessel with the needle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical manipulation approach (manually angulating the catheter through twisting or bending) with a structurally integrated solution where the needle is fixed at a divergent angle. This eliminates the need for repeated mechanical adjustments and manual maneuvers that increase the risk of accidental vessel puncture.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include catheter assemblies, systems for sampling a targeted region of tissue, and methods of sampling a targeted region of tissue. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a catheter assembly includes: a catheter defining a lumen therein, a wall of the catheter defining an opening therein at a distal end of the catheter; and a curved flexible needle disposable in the lumen and being extendable from the opening at the distal end of the catheter at an angle that diverges from an axis of the lumen.