Catheter Tip Cutting Tool Arc-Shaped Blade Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for cutting catheters often result in blunt, sharp, or non-uniform ends that can traumatize internal tissues and encourage blood clot or bacterial accumulation, due to the difficulty in manually trimming catheters to atraumatic lengths.

Innovation Solution

A cutting tool designed to form an arc-shaped end on catheters with a single cut, using a cutting member with a blade that moves through a cutting passageway to create a smooth, atraumatic end, reducing the risk of tissue trauma and infection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a razor or scissors is used to cut the catheter to shorten it, then the catheter length is customized, but the end becomes blunt with sharp edges that can traumatize internal tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter lengthVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tool employs a curved or arc-shaped blade that cuts the catheter at an angle rather than straight across. This curvature transforms the flat, sharp-edged cut into a rounded, atraumatic end that eliminates sharp edges capable of causing tissue trauma while maintaining the customized length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a physician attempts to manually trim an atraumatic end on the catheter, then tissue trauma is reduced, but the cuts are typically non-uniform and/or roughly cut due to the difficulty of manually cutting a non-straight end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidcut uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tool is designed with a self-aligning mechanism where the catheter is inserted through a guide that automatically positions it at the correct angle and depth. The blade moves along a predetermined arc that ensures uniform cutting depth and angle without requiring manual adjustment or skill, producing consistent atraumatic ends

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The tool incorporates a fixed angular parameter for the blade that maintains a specific cutting angle throughout the motion. This parameter control ensures that every cut produces the same uniform atraumatic shape, eliminating the variability inherent in manual trimming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional cutting tools are used, then the catheter can be cut, but the end surface becomes rough that may encourage the accumulation of blood clots or bacteria

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting capabilityVSAvoidblood clot accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved blade design inherently produces a smooth, rounded surface finish on the catheter end. The arc-shaped cutting path eliminates rough surfaces and crevices where blood clots and bacteria could accumulate, creating a hydrodynamic end that promotes smooth fluid flow and reduces thrombogenicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS9346181B2Catheter tip cutting tool

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A cutting tool is provided for cutting the end of a catheter to provide custom length catheters. The cutting tool has a cutting member that moves within the cutting passageway in the housing. The catheter is positioned within a catheter passageway in the housing. The cutting passageway transacts the catheter passageway so that a blade on the cutting member crosses the catheter passageway and cuts through the width of the catheter to form a cut end on the catheter.