Hemodialysis Catheter Side Opening Guiding Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hemodialysis catheters are prone to thrombus formation due to disruptive blood flow, which leads to occlusion of side openings and obstructs blood flow, exacerbated by elevated shear stress.
Innovation Solution
The hemodialysis catheter features guiding structures, such as raised walls or angled inner walls, adjacent to the side openings to smoothly redirect blood flow, minimizing exposure to shear stress and reducing thrombus formation. These structures include scoops with radiused surfaces or acute angles that extend above the catheter's exterior surface, redirecting fluid flow effectively into the lumens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If side openings are provided in the catheter for redundant flow paths, then blood flow capacity is improved, but thrombus formation risk increases due to disruptive blood flow and elevated shear stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the distal inner wall of the side opening at an acute angle (15-75 degrees) relative to the catheter sidewall, creating a smooth transitional geometry that reduces flow disruption and shear stress at the opening, thereby minimizing thrombus formation while maintaining flow capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different geometric configurations at different locations: the side openings have acute angled distal inner walls to reduce thrombus formation, while the catheter body maintains its standard cylindrical structure, locally optimizing the opening geometry without compromising overall catheter integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If side openings are formed through the catheter sidewall, then flow redundancy is improved, but the openings become susceptible to occlusion by thrombus
Solution Approach 1:
The acute angled distal inner wall creates a smooth curved transition zone that prevents abrupt flow separation and reduces shear stress concentration, making the opening more resistant to thrombus formation and maintaining patency over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of flow disruption at side openings into a beneficial flow pattern by using the acute angle geometry to guide blood flow smoothly into the lumen, transforming what would be a thrombus-prone turbulent flow into a laminar flow that protects against occlusion
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 guiding structures reduce thrombus formation by minimizing blood flow disruption and platelet activation, ensuring unobstructed blood flow through the catheter by smoothly redirecting blood into the lumens, thereby reducing the likelihood of occlusions.
Implementation Method 1
The formation of thrombus adjacent to the side openings of the catheter may result in occlusion of the side openings of the catheter and obstruct, partially or completely, blood flow to or from the catheter. The likelihood of thrombus formation is increased by disruptive blood flow which results in elevated shear stress on the blood.
Data Source
AI summary
A hemodialysis catheter is provided which includes a catheter body having a proximal and a distal end and defining at least one lumen. The at least one lumen includes a distal opening and a side opening formed through a sidewall of the catheter body. The side opening communicates with the at least one lumen, and includes guiding structure positioned adjacent a distal side of the side opening configured to smoothly redirect blood flow into the at least one lumen. The guiding structure may be defined by a raised wall, or in the alternative, an angled distal wall of the side opening.