Catheter Valve Locking Mechanism for Jam-Free Sheath Withdrawal

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medical procedures, three-way valves often jam or get stuck with other catheters or sheaths during cardiac catheter examinations when the valve lever points towards the introducer sheath in the shut-off position, complicating the withdrawal or replacement of the introducer sheath.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of locking devices, such as annular bodies, strip-shaped materials, or shield-like parts, that secure the valve lever in place, preventing it from snagging or jamming with other catheters or sheaths, ensuring unimpeded pivoting and easy withdrawal or replacement of the introducer sheath.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the valve lever is positioned in the shut-off position pointing towards the introduces sheath, then the introduces sheath can be withdrawn or replaced, but the valve lever easily moves with other catheters and insertion sheaths and gets stuck or jammed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewithdrawal or replacement of introduces sheathVSAvoidvalve lever position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve lever and other catheters/sheaths. This guide element prevents direct contact and entanglement while allowing the valve lever to maintain its shut-off position, thus preventing jamming during withdrawal or replacement operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The problematic interaction between the valve lever and other catheters/sheaths is extracted and isolated by the guide element, which separates the valve lever's rotational movement from the linear withdrawal motion of the introduces sheath, eliminating the jamming issue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the valve lever points in the direction of the introduces sheath in the shut-off position, then the introduces sheath can be withdrawn, but the valve lever can easily move with other catheters and insertion sheaths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintroduces sheath withdrawalVSAvoidvalve lever control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element serves as a mediator that simplifies the control situation by providing a clear physical barrier and guidance path, making it easier to control the valve lever position without worrying about entanglement with other catheters and sheaths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the valve lever is pivoted into the final position, then the introduces sheath can be withdrawn, but the valve lever can get stuck or jammed with other catheters or locks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintroduces sheath withdrawal speedVSAvoidvalve lever positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element acts as a protective intermediary that prevents the valve lever from contacting and getting stuck on other catheters or locks during the final positioning phase, ensuring reliable and rapid withdrawal without jamming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2481445B1Valve on a catheter or sheath-like medical device
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 GELLER JOHANN CHRISTOPH PROF DR MED
  • EP2481445B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2481445B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2481445B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The valve has a locking device (8b) provided at the valve, where the valve is securely connected at an end part of a catheter- or lock-feeding medical device for supplying drugs to a vessel of a patient and animal or removing body fluid from the vessel. The locking device allows withdrawal of the medical device from the vessel or change of the medical device. The locking device is arranged at a radially extended pipe socket (3) of the valve connected to the medical device. The locking device is arranged on a control lever (6) of the valve.