Catheter Tip Diffusion Holes for Rapid Infusion Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular infusion systems face challenges with high backpressure and fluid acceleration issues during rapid infusion procedures, leading to potential vein damage and system failures, due to the tapered catheter tip design which increases exit jet velocities and pressures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a modified intravenous catheter tip with a plurality of diffusion holes arranged in a staggered array, which divert a portion of the fluid flow through the catheter wall, reducing pressure and jet velocity, and featuring a tapered outer and inner surface for easy insertion and secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a tapered catheter tip design is used to accelerate fluid flow, then infusion flow rate is improved, but backpressure and exit jet velocity increase causing system failures and vein damage
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip is segmented into multiple diffusion holes arranged in a staggered array pattern, dividing the single accelerated flow path into multiple smaller flow paths. This segmentation reduces the velocity and pressure of individual jets while maintaining total flow rate, directly resolving the contradiction between high infusion rate and excessive backpressure/jet velocity
Solution Approach 2:
The diffusion holes are positioned at specific locations on the catheter tip surface with varying orientations, creating localized flow distribution zones. This local quality variation allows different regions of the catheter tip to optimize flow characteristics, reducing overall backpressure while maintaining effective infusion delivery
2Productivity
If a tapered catheter tip design is used to accelerate fluid flow, then infusion flow rate is improved, but exit jet velocity increases causing vein damage and infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The single high-velocity jet is segmented into multiple lower-velocity jets through the diffusion holes. This division of the fluid stream reduces the kinetic energy concentrated at any single point, preventing vein wall penetration and infiltration while maintaining the required total infusion flow rate
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design converts the potentially harmful high-velocity jet into a beneficial distributed flow pattern. The diffusion holes transform the concentrated kinetic energy that would cause damage into a dispersed flow pattern that gently infuses fluid into the vasculature, turning the acceleration effect into a safety feature
3Measurement precision
If rapid infusion rates are increased to improve bolus density, then image quality is improved, but system pressure requirements increase causing component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusion hole array segments the high-pressure flow into multiple lower-pressure streams, allowing rapid infusion rates needed for high bolus density to be achieved without generating excessive system pressure that would cause component failures or seal leaks
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
This solution allows for increased infusion flow rates while reducing system pressures and tip jet velocities, minimizing vein damage and system failures, and maintaining efficient fluid delivery during rapid infusion procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A tip portion of the intravenous catheter is modified to include a plurality of diffusion holes that divert a portion of an infusant flow through the catheter wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A peripheral catheter (414) having a catheter tip (420) diffuser for reducing an exit velocity of an infusant within the catheter. Pluralities of diffusion side holes (450) are provided on the tip portion of the catheter. Some examples further include pluralities of annularly arranged, staggered diffusion holes provided on the tip portion of an intravenous catheter to streamline infusant issued from the diffusion holes. An inner surface (464) of each diffusion hole is further angled relative to the inner surface (482) of the catheter lumen (490) such that an infusant within the lumen exits the catheter though the diffusion holes at an angle less than 90°.