Catheter Assembly Slidable Septum Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of priming solution in catheters compromises continuous blood flow, leading to confusion about proper catheter placement, delays in insertion, and potential vein damage due to catheter material softening and reduced stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a slidable septum that isolates blood and priming solution pathways, allowing for quick and clear flashback confirmation and minimizing exposure to priming solution, featuring a septum that slides between distal and proximal positions to facilitate fluid communication and separation of pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catheter is flushed with priming solution to remove air, then air is removed from the catheter system, but continuous blood flow is compromised and flashback indication becomes unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into separate fluid pathways: a first fluid pathway for priming solution (with side port) and a second fluid pathway for blood flow (through catheter lumen). The septum creates a barrier that segments these pathways, allowing independent operation. This segmentation enables air removal through the side port while maintaining clear blood flashback indication through the catheter lumen.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the catheter remains in place for future use, then the catheter is ready for blood withdrawal or fluid infusion, but prolonged exposure to priming solution causes material softening and reduced tip stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The septum is extracted or removed from the catheter system after the initial priming and insertion procedure. This allows the catheter to be disconnected from the priming solution pathway while maintaining patency for future use. The side port with septum serves its purpose during insertion and can be discarded or sealed, preventing continued exposure to priming solution.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter material softens due to prolonged priming solution exposure, then the catheter becomes more flexible, but catheter peel back and vein damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is primed with solution and inserted into the vein while the septum is in place, establishing proper positioning and flexibility when needed. After insertion is complete and the catheter is secured, the connection to priming solution is terminated by removing or sealing the side port with septum. This preliminary priming provides necessary flexibility during insertion, but subsequent disconnection prevents prolonged softening that would cause peel back.
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
Ensures rapid and accurate verification of catheter placement, reduces material softening, and minimizes vein damage by preventing prolonged exposure to priming solution, enhancing catheter stability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The septum is disposed within the lumen at a distal position aligned with the side port. In the distal position, the septum provides a seal between the side port and the catheter.
Implementation Method 2
The septum is configured to slide from the distal position to a proximal position proximal to the side port. In the proximal position, the side port is in fluid communication with the catheter.
Data Source
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AI summary
A catheter assembly 101 configured to selectively isolate a blood fluid pathway from a priming solution fluid pathway. The catheter assembly includes a catheter adapter 102 which includes a distal end 104, a proximal end 106 and a lumen 108 therebetween. A catheter 110 extends from the distal end and a side port 132 is disposed between the distal end and the proximal end of the adapter. A septum 114 is positioned within the lumen and aligned with the side port. The septum provides a seal between the side port and the catheter in the distal position. The septum is configured to slide from the distal position to a proximal position proximal to the side port. In the proximal position, the side port is in fluid communication with the catheter. The catheter assembly increases a likelihood of obtaining a quick and clear indication of flashback to confirm proper catheter placement.