Catheter Positioning Device With Self-Locking Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current catheter fixing methods are inadequate as they either compromise drainage efficiency or are painful and prone to catheter displacement, with existing devices either obstructing fluid flow or failing to provide secure fixation.

Innovation Solution

A catheter positioning device with self-triggering locking modules that automatically switch from a released state to a locking state when the catheter is displaced, maintaining drainage efficiency by minimizing pressure on the catheter when locked and ensuring secure positioning without obstructing fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radial pressure to the wall of the catheter is increased to improve friction locking force, then the fixing effect on the catheter is improved, but the inner diameter of the catheter is reduced, so that the drainage efficiency is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing effectVSAvoiddrainage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking module employs a dynamic mechanism where the elastic component enables the locking arm to transition between a locked position (providing fixation) and an unlocked position (allowing drainage). This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable: when drainage is needed, the arm retracts to minimize pressure; when fixation is needed, the arm engages to provide friction locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter applied to the catheter wall based on operational requirements. The elastic component stores and releases mechanical energy to adjust the contact force dynamically, allowing high pressure for fixation and low pressure for drainage, thus resolving the contradiction between fixing effect and drainage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If flexible blades are fixed to retain the tube, then the tube is always gripped and pressed, but liquid flow through the tube is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveretentionVSAvoidliquid flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking arm is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to switch between contacting and non-contacting states with the catheter. When the catheter is inserted, the arm is pushed to a non-contacting position to allow free fluid flow. When fixation is required, the arm moves to a contacting position to provide gentle retention without obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic switching between retention and non-retention states. The elastic component enables the locking arm to alternately engage and disengage from the catheter, creating a periodic action that provides fixation when needed while ensuring unobstructed flow at other times, thus resolving the contradiction between retention and liquid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

The device achieves one-way or two-way catheter positioning with minimal impact on drainage efficiency, automatically locking the catheter in place when displaced and self-resetting to maintain fluid flow efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic component (1323) arranged in the V-groove and configured to store and release energy to move the locking unit between the locked position and the unlocked position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a friction force is provided by applying pressure to the wall of the catheter along a radial direction so as to realize locking and fixing of the catheter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3834877B1Catheter positioning device
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SHANGHAI KANGLULIAN MEDICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP3834877B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3834877B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3834877B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The invention provides a catheter positioning device which comprises a base fixed on a body, a positioning guide groove arranged on the base, and a self-locking module positioned on two opposite sides or one side of the positioning guide groove, wherein when the catheter is positioned at a preset position in the positioning guide groove, the self-locking module is in a released state; and when the catheter moves relative to the positioning guide groove to deviate from the preset position, the self-locking module is triggered to switch from the released state to a locking state, so that the self-locking module in locking state limits the movement of the catheter relative to the positioning guide groove so as to achieve the technical effect of positioning the catheter.