Catheter System With Support Means For Guided Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheters for gastric decompression and enteral feeding in the stomach and small intestine face challenges such as frictional resistance during deployment, difficulty in visibility under endoscope illumination, and maintaining position due to dynamic intestinal movements.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system with support means, such as projections, to reduce friction between the stomach probe and jejunal probe, and optical properties to enhance visibility under endoscope illumination, along with engagement enhancing means like foamed polymer materials for secure placement in the small intestine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the feeding probe is inserted through the lumen of the stomach probe, then the feeding probe can be guided into the small intestine, but frictional resistance between the outer surface of the feeding probe and the inner surface of the lumen hinders deployment
Solution Approach 1:
A support means is introduced as an intermediary element between the feeding probe and the stomach probe lumen. This support means reduces frictional resistance by providing a low-friction interface that allows the feeding probe to slide smoothly through the stomach probe during deployment, while still maintaining the structural integrity and guidance function of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The support means modifies the friction parameter between the feeding probe and stomach probe lumen. By changing the surface properties or introducing a low-friction material/structure, the coefficient of friction is reduced, enabling easier deployment of the feeding probe through the stomach probe without excessive resistance.
2Reliability
If the feeding probe contacts the inner surface of the stomach probe lumen, then guidance is maintained, but contact partially blocks the lateral drainage holes, causing sub-optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The support means acts as a mediator that maintains the feeding probe's guidance through the stomach probe while preventing direct contact with the lateral drainage holes. This intermediary structure ensures that the feeding probe remains centrally positioned for proper guidance without obstructing the drainage function, thereby maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the jejunal probe is made soft and flexible for easy insertion, then insertion is facilitated, but the probe becomes difficult to observe under endoscope illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The support means or the feeding probe is provided with optical properties that enhance its visibility under endoscope illumination. This may include specific colorations, reflectivity, or optical contrast features that make the soft and flexible probe easily detectable against the background of the stomach and small intestine, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for insertion and visibility for observation.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the catheter remains in position for long-term enteral feeding, then nutritional support is maintained, but the dynamic intestinal movements challenge position stability
Solution Approach 1:
The support means incorporates dynamic elements that allow the catheter to adapt to intestinal movements while maintaining position. This may include flexible structures, anchoring mechanisms, or self-adjusting features that enable the catheter to remain stable in the dynamic environment of the small intestine over extended periods, achieving both long-term duration and position stability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a catheter system comprising a stomach probe for gastric decompression or drainage of stomach fluids, and a jejunal probe for nutriment supply during enteral feeding. The stomach probe comprises a drainage tube to be inserted into the stomach of a patient, the drainage tube having proximal and distal ends and defining a lumen for receiving and for guiding insertion of the jejunal probe into the small intestine of the patient. The jejunal probe is sized and adapted to be received within the lumen of the stomach probe for guided insertion to the small intestine. The catheter system further comprises support means for supporting the jejunal probe within the lumen of the stomach probe such that the feeding tube maintains a spaced relation to an inner wall surface of the lumen of the drainage tube.