Catheter Side Opening Frustoconical Shape Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hemodialysis catheters face efficiency reduction due to blood recirculation at the distal end, and staggered lumen openings compromise reversible fluid flow, leading to higher likelihood of flow occlusion.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring an elongated tubular body with a septum separating two lumens, including side openings with frustoconical shapes that provide increased flow resistance for exiting fluid and decreased resistance for entering fluid, minimizing recirculation while allowing reversible fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If staggered openings are used to minimize recirculation, then recirculation is reduced, but reversible fluid flow is compromised and flow occlusion likelihood increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side openings are positioned at specific locations on the catheter body to create localized flow paths that prevent recirculation without blocking reversible flow. The distal opening positions are strategically arranged to allow blood to exit the venous lumen and re-enter the arterial lumen through the side openings, maintaining recirculation while preserving reversibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The side openings act as intermediary flow paths between the venous and arterial lumens. These intermediate openings allow blood to transition between lumens in a controlled manner, preventing direct recirculation while maintaining the ability to reverse flow through the distal openings.
2Productivity
If distal opening sizes are increased to enhance fluid flow, then fluid flow is improved, but recirculation is not effectively minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple flow paths: distal openings for primary fluid flow and side openings for recirculation control. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - distal openings maximize fluid flow while side openings manage recirculation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The side openings provide an additional spatial dimension for fluid flow control. By introducing flow paths in the radial dimension (through the catheter wall) in addition to the longitudinal dimension (distal openings), the design achieves both enhanced fluid flow and recirculation minimization simultaneously.
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 design effectively minimizes blood recirculation and maintains reversible fluid flow, reducing the likelihood of flow occlusion and enhancing the efficiency of hemodialysis procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The side opening has an external aperture and an internal aperture smaller in dimension than the external aperture. The side opening is substantially frustoconical in shape, providing increased flow resistance for exiting fluid and decreased resistance for entering fluid.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A catheter (100) has an elongated tubular body (102) and a septum (108). The elongated tubular body defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first wall (104) defining a first lumen (104a) and a second wall (106) defining a second lumen (106a). The first lumen and the second lumen communicate with first (104b) and second distal openings (106b), respectively. The septum separates the first and second lumens. One or both of the first and second walls includes a side opening (110a, 110b). The side opening is fluid communication with one of the first and second lumens. The side opening has an external aperture (112) and an internal aperture (114). The internal aperture is smaller in dimension than the external aperture.