Single-Piece Catheter Tip Taper for Dilator-Free RICC Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ACVCs have relatively blunt catheter tips that make it difficult to insert the catheter tips that make it difficult to dilate the catheter tip of the catheter tip into the blood-vessel lumen without using a separate dilator, as they require a separate dilator to dilate the blood-vessel lumen prior to insertion.
Innovation Solution
The catheter tip for the rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC) features a single-piece design with a uniform taper in the first section for initial dilation, a consistent diameter in the second section, and a non-uniform taper in the third section to integrate the dilation typically done by a dilator, allowing direct insertion without a separate dilator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate dilator is used to dilate the blood-vessel lumen prior to insertion, then the catheter can be inserted safely, but the procedure requires multiple steps and additional devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dilation function and catheter insertion function into a single integrated device. The catheter tip incorporates tapered sections that perform both dilation of the blood-vessel lumen and facilitate catheter insertion, eliminating the need for a separate dilator device.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tip is designed with multi-functional capabilities: the first tapered section dilates tissue around the needle tract, the second tapered section dilates the blood-vessel lumen, and the overall structure facilitates catheter insertion. This single component performs multiple functions that previously required separate devices.
2Ease of manufacture
If a blunt catheter tip is used, then the catheter structure is simple, but it is difficult to dilate the blood-vessel lumen without a separate dilator
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip features localized tapered sections at specific locations (first and second tapered sections) while maintaining a simpler overall structure. These localized geometric modifications provide the necessary dilation capability without requiring complete redesign of the entire catheter, balancing manufacturing simplicity with operational effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If the catheter tip integrates dilation functionality, then a separate dilator is eliminated, but the catheter tip geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip is segmented into distinct functional sections: a first tapered section for initial tissue dilation, a second tapered section for blood-vessel lumen dilation, and a third section for catheter insertion. This segmentation allows each section to have optimized geometry for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability.
Data Source
AI summary
A rapidly inserted central catheter can include a catheter tube, a catheter hub, and one or more extension legs. The catheter tube can include a single-piece catheter tip coupled to a distal end portion of the catheter tube having a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section of the catheter tip can have a uniform taper over an outer diameter thereof for dilating tissue around a needle tract from a size commensurate with an outer diameter of a needle shaft to a size commensurate with an outer diameter of the second section of the catheter tip. The third section of the catheter tip can have a non-uniform taper over an outer diameter thereof for dilating the tissue from the size commensurate with the outer diameter of the second section of the catheter tip to a size commensurate with an outer diameter of the catheter tube.