Dual-Lumen Catheter Stylet Segmentation for Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible hemodialysis catheters face challenges in insertion due to kinking and buckling, requiring additional devices for placement, which can increase patient trauma and reduce comfort, while rigid catheters are easier to insert but may cause trauma.

Innovation Solution

A catheterization system with a stylet having two portions that are independently movable and connected at the distal end to form a tapered penetrating portion, increasing the catheter's rigidity when the stylet is positioned within, allowing for easier insertion without compromising patient comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If flexible catheters are used, then patient comfort and reduced trauma are improved, but insertion difficulty increases due to kinking and buckling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet is divided into two separate portions (first stylet portion and second stylet portion) that can be independently inserted into separate lumens of the catheter. This segmentation allows each stylet portion to provide structural support in its respective lumen, preventing kinking and buckling of the flexible catheter during insertion while maintaining patient comfort through the use of flexible catheter material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If rigid catheters are used, then insertion ease is improved, but patient trauma and discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidpatient trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stylet acts as an intermediary device that temporarily provides rigidity to the flexible catheter during the insertion process. The stylet is inserted into the catheter lumen, giving the flexible catheter the structural support needed for easy insertion, and is then removed after placement, leaving the flexible catheter in place without causing patient trauma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If additional insertion devices are used, then insertion ease is improved, but device complexity and potential patient trauma increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidinsertion device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two stylet portions are merged with the flexible catheter system in a coordinated manner, where each stylet portion is inserted into a separate lumen of the dual-lumen catheter. This combining approach provides comprehensive structural support throughout the catheter body during insertion, preventing kinking and buckling while using only simple, minimally invasive stylet components rather than complex insertion devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3241585B1Catheterization system
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP3241585B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3241585B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3241585B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to catheterization systems and components thereof. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a catheterization system is disclosed that includes a catheter (200) including a body (202) having proximal (204) and distal (206) ends and defining first (208) and second (210) lumens extending therethrough, wherein the first and second lumens are separated by a septum wall (212); and a stylet (300) including a first stylet portion (302) with proximal (304) and distal (306) end regions configured and dimensioned for insertion into the first lumen of the catheter, and a second stylet portion (308) with proximal (310) and distal (312) end regions configured and dimensioned for insertion into the second lumen of the catheter, wherein the proximal end regions of the first and second stylet portions are separated from one another, and the distal end regions of the first and second stylet portions are conjoined to thereby inhibit relative longitudinal movement between the distal end regions of the first and second stylet portions until a predetermined force is applied to the stylet.