Catheter Recess External Flow Channel Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheters used in medical procedures, particularly during hemodialysis, are prone to occlusion due to tissue being drawn into the openings under vacuum, leading to obstructed fluid flow, despite having redundant flow paths.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring side openings with recesses that communicate with the lumens, providing an alternate flow path and maintaining patency, with recess configurations that can be linear, non-linear, or undulating, positioned either proximally or distally to the side openings, to minimize occlusion and ensure unobstructed fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If side openings are provided in the catheter lumen, then fluid flow paths are increased, but tissue occlusion of openings occurs due to vacuum draw
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recess feature that adds a third dimension to the side opening structure. The recess creates an external flow channel that approaches the side opening from outside the catheter body, allowing fluid to enter the lumen through a path that does not require the opening to protrude into the vessel lumen, thereby reducing tissue occlusion while maintaining flow capability
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary structure between the external environment and the internal lumen. It provides a transition zone where fluid can be directed into the side opening from the external flow channel, mediating the connection between the outside world and the catheter interior while reducing direct exposure of the opening to tissue
2Adaptability or versatility
If distal and side openings are provided, then redundant flow paths are created, but likelihood of total occlusion is not sufficiently reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow path into multiple independent channels: the internal lumen flow path and the external flow channel through the recess. This segmentation ensures that if one path becomes occluded, the other remains functional, providing true redundancy that reduces the likelihood of total occlusion
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the external flow channel dimension through the recess structure, the patent creates a spatially separated redundant path that is physically distinct from the internal lumen path, ensuring that occlusion of one does not necessarily affect the other
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 catheter design significantly reduces the likelihood of occlusion, maintains smooth flow dynamics, minimizes shear stress on fluids, and reduces platelet activation and thrombus formation by providing an additional flow path, thus ensuring continuous and efficient fluid withdrawal and delivery.
Implementation Method 1
A recess extends along the sidewall and communicates with the at least one side opening to define a fluid pathway into the side opening
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter is provided which includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end and a sidewall defining at least one lumen. The catheter body has at least one side opening formed through the sidewall at a location spaced proximally from the distal end. The at least one side opening communicates with the at least one lumen. A recess extends along the sidewall and communicates with the at least one side opening such that the recess defines a fluid pathway into the side opening.