Catheter Removal Device with Rotating Cutting Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter removal devices with tissue ingrowth cuffs are difficult to remove, leading to time-consuming and risky surgical procedures with increased bleeding and infection risks due to snug fits and frictional forces, making it challenging to detach the cuff from ingrown subcutaneous tissue.

Innovation Solution

A fluid line removal device with a handle and cutting head, featuring a serrated cutting edge and guide, designed to support the fluid line and cut away surrounding tissue for easier removal, including a tapered distal end to facilitate insertion and separation from the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a tissue ingrowth cuff is used to anchor the catheter in the subcutaneous tunnel, then the catheter is stabilized and sealed, but the catheter becomes difficult to remove requiring time-consuming surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter stabilizationVSAvoidcatheter removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting head is divided into multiple cutting elements (teeth) arranged in circumferential rows, allowing progressive cutting of the tissue ingrowth cuff. This segmentation enables the firm anchoring to be systematically divided and removed through sequential cutting actions rather than requiring complete dissection at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting head is advanced through the subcutaneous tunnel before the actual cutting begins, allowing the cutting elements to engage the tissue ingrowth cuff progressively. This preliminary positioning enables the cutting action to start from the distal end and work backward, facilitating easier removal by progressively detaching the cuff from the tunnel walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cuff is sized to fit snugly in the subcutaneous tunnel, then anchoring is improved, but frictional forces increase making removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidfrictional force

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting head is designed to rotate during the removal process, transforming the static friction problem into a dynamic cutting process. The rotational motion allows the cutting elements to sequentially engage and cut through the tissue ingrowth cuff, converting the high friction resistance into manageable cutting forces that progressively detach the cuff from the tunnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If surgical dissection is used to remove the cuff, then complete removal is achieved, but procedure time increases and bleeding risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete removalVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual surgical dissection process is replaced with a mechanical cutting system consisting of the rotating cutting head with multiple cutting elements. This mechanical system efficiently cuts through the tissue ingrowth cuff and surrounding tissue, achieving complete removal of the catheter and cuff much faster than manual dissection while maintaining reliable separation of all anchored structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If surgical dissection is used to remove the cuff, then removal is achieved, but infection risk increases due to prolonged surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuff removalVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting head rapidly cuts through the tissue ingrowth cuff and surrounding tissue in a single continuous motion, minimizing the time the wound remains open and exposed to potential contaminants. This rapid cutting action completes the removal process quickly, reducing the window for infection compared to prolonged manual dissection procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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 reduces procedure time, minimizes bleeding and infection risks, and simplifies the removal process by effectively cutting through tissue ingrowth cuffs, allowing for safer and quicker catheter extraction.

Implementation Method 1

the cutting head (or cutting edge) cuts body tissue away from the fluid line for removal thereof from the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

frictional forces against the tunnel wall affect the tunneling and removal of the catheter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8372098B2Fluid line removal device for removing a fluid line from a body and related methods

Publication Date: 2013.02.12 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A fluid line device is for removing a fluid line from a body and may include a handle and a cutting head having a proximal end carried by the handle, and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end. A fluid line channel may extend through the cutting head between the proximal end and the distal end for receiving the fluid line. The cutting head may also include a guide carried within the fluid line channel for supporting the fluid line therein during manipulation of the handle so that the cutting edge cuts body tissue away from the fluid line for removal thereof from the body.