Curved Catheter Adapter Tip for Kink-Resistant Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Catheter kinking and occlusion during fluid delivery are common complications in medical procedures, leading to reduced flow rates and potential contamination, especially when the catheter is flexed or bent, and there is a need for a kink-resistant vascular access device that supports catheters with a steeper insertion angle.

Innovation Solution

A catheter adapter with a distal end featuring an internal curvature and a tapered region in the lower portion to support the catheter's transition from the adapter to the patient's vein, reducing the likelihood of kinking and maintaining flow rates by allowing a gentle bend without restricting fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter is allowed to flex and bend during insertion and use, then the catheter can accommodate the transition from the adapter to the patient's vein, but this flexibility causes kinking and occlusion that restricts fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter flexibilityVSAvoidfluid flow continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter adapter incorporates a tapered region with a specific curvature radius that is localized to the distal end where the catheter exits. This localized geometric feature provides structural support precisely where the catheter is most vulnerable to kinking, while allowing the rest of the catheter to remain flexible for proper positioning and angulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter adapter features an internal curvature with a tapered region that guides the catheter through a smooth curved transition. This curvature prevents sharp bends and angles that would cause kinking, while still allowing the catheter to achieve the necessary insertion angle by distributing the angular change across a gradual curve rather than a sharp corner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If the catheter adapter provides rigid support to prevent kinking, then fluid flow is maintained, but the catheter cannot accommodate the angle of insertion and transition to the patient's vein

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow continuityVSAvoidcatheter flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter adapter's tapered region is designed with specific geometric parameters including a curvature radius of approximately 0.06 to 0.12 inches and a taper angle of approximately 15 to 30 degrees. These controlled parameter changes create an optimal balance between providing structural support to prevent kinking and allowing sufficient flexibility for proper catheter positioning and angulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the catheter is inserted at a steeper angle to improve access, then insertion efficiency is improved, but the catheter is more prone to kinking and occlusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion efficiencyVSAvoidcatheter patency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered region with its controlled curvature radius and gradual angular transition allows the catheter to achieve steeper insertion angles while distributing the bending stress across a gradual curve. This prevents the sharp angles that would cause kinking, enabling both efficient steep insertion and maintained catheter patency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3368128B1Catheter adapter with distal inner diameter curvature providing kink resistance

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

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AI summary

Catheter adapters and vascular access device including catheter adapters are discloses. The catheter adapter tip opening (34) has an internal curvature defining a tapered region in the lower portion, but not the upper portion, to support a flexured portion of the catheter to prevent kinking and occlusion.