Embryo Transfer Catheter Snap-On Sheath Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current embryo transfer catheters face difficulties in navigating through cervical mucus and blood, leading to clogging and reduced success rates in embryo implantation, and the proliferation of catheter lengths increases inventory and costs for hospitals.
Innovation Solution
A coaxial catheter system comprising an inner transfer catheter, a guide catheter, and a protective sheath with snap-fit and peel-away features, where the protective sheath is designed to retract and expose the guide catheter, clearing mucus and blood, allowing the transfer catheter to advance freely and minimize fluid volume for improved implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a soft plastic delivery catheter is used to avoid damage to the endometrium, then tissue trauma is reduced, but the catheter tip may bend back or curve away from the fundus and become encumbered with mucus
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is divided into multiple segments with different stiffness characteristics. The proximal portion of the catheter is made stiffer to facilitate navigation through the cervix and uterus, while the distal portion remains soft to protect the endometrium. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter are assigned different mechanical properties (stiffness). The proximal end has higher stiffness for navigation, while the distal end has lower stiffness for tissue protection. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between navigation capability and tissue safety.
2Ease of operation
If a stiffer catheter is used to improve navigation through cervical mucus, then guiding capability is improved, but the risk of trauma to the uterus or cervix increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented into proximal and distal portions with different stiffness levels. The proximal portion is stiffer to navigate through mucus and tissue, while the distal portion is softer to minimize trauma to the endometrium and cervical tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter exhibits non-uniform mechanical properties along its length. The proximal region has higher rigidity for guiding through challenging environments, while the distal region has lower rigidity to protect delicate tissues, thus locally optimizing for different functional requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catheter lengths are maintained to tailor to individual patients, then patient-specific suitability is improved, but inventory complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed as modular segments that can be assembled in different configurations. This allows a single base design to serve multiple patient needs through combination, reducing the need to maintain separate inventory items for different lengths and specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system is designed with universal interfaces and modular components that can be combined to create various configurations suitable for different patient anatomies. This multi-functionality from a single design reduces inventory requirements while maintaining patient-specific adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An embryo transfer catheter with a protective sheath is disclosed. The use of a protective sheath shields a guide catheter from cervical mucus. The retracted open flaps of the outer protective sheath draw the mucus and blood away from the inner guide catheter. This allows an inner embryo transfer sheath to enter the uterus unobstructed. The embryo is then transferred to the uterus by means of fluid pressure with a culture medium. The protective sheath may be snap fit onto the guide catheter. The sheaths and catheters may be manufactured in a variety of lengths for individual convenience and then snap-fit onto each other for better control during an embryo implantation procedure. Other catheters and related instruments may also be manufactured with snap-on features.