Catheter Protector Sleeve With Projection-Based Cap Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective devices for catheters require manual removal of the protector cap, which poses a risk of damaging the catheter, especially the stent or balloon, and may lead to the protector being forgotten, compromising safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A protective device with a protective sleeve featuring an inner projection that retains the protector during catheter withdrawal, allowing automatic removal without manual intervention, thus preventing damage and ensuring reliable detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual removal of the protector cap is used, then the catheter can be protected during transport, but the risk of damaging the catheter increases due to incorrect manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device performs the removal operation automatically through self-service mechanism. The spring element stores energy during insertion and automatically executes the removal action when the catheter is withdrawn from the protective sleeve, eliminating the need for manual intervention and the associated risks of incorrect manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded during the insertion phase to store mechanical energy. This preliminary action prepares the system in advance so that when the catheter is withdrawn, the stored energy automatically drives the removal of the protective cap without requiring real-time manual operation
2Device complexity
If manual removal of the protector cap is used, then the protective device structure can be simple, but the risk of forgetting removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs the removal function through its self-service mechanism, making the removal process unavoidable and eliminating human error. The spring-loaded system ensures that removal occurs automatically when the catheter is withdrawn, making it impossible to forget the removal step
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides inherent feedback through the mechanical coupling between the catheter withdrawal motion and the spring activation. When the catheter is pulled out of the protective sleeve, this motion automatically triggers the spring to release and remove the protective cap, creating a fail-safe mechanism
3Reliability
If automatic removal mechanism is implemented, then the safety and efficiency improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device uses a self-service spring mechanism that leverages the existing insertion and withdrawal motions to automatically remove the protective cap. This approach achieves automatic removal without requiring complex additional actuators, motors, or control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element is pre-loaded during the simple insertion process, storing mechanical energy that will be released automatically during withdrawal. This preliminary energy storage requires minimal additional structure while enabling the automatic removal function
Data Source
AI summary
A protective device for an elongate catheter carrying a functional element, in particular a stent or a balloon, in particular a balloon coated with an active substance, on a distal end portion of the catheter. The protective device includes a protector configured to be arranged on the distal end portion so that the functional element is surrounded by the protector. A protective sleeve surrounds an interior to receive the catheter together with the protector. The protective sleeve has at least one projection on an inner side of the protective sleeve facing the interior of the protective sleeve. The projection is configured to retain the protector when the catheter together with the protector is arranged in the interior of the protective sleeve and the catheter is withdrawn from the protective sleeve so that the protector is pulled off the distal end portion of the catheter.