Curved Vascular Introducer Geometry for Precise Catheter Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vascular access devices have imperfect success rates in catheter insertion procedures, leading to endothelial and subcutaneous tissue damage due to the straight needle design, which can cause misalignment and increased trauma during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A vascular access device with a curved introducer having a shaft with a straight section and a curved section, allowing for a controlled introducer angle that reduces contact with the distal wall of the blood vessel, thereby minimizing tissue damage and improving insertion precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a straight needle design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the insertion precision deteriorates and causes tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the needle shaft, transitioning from a straight design to a curved configuration. This curved geometry allows the needle to follow the natural contour of the vascular access site, improving insertion precision and reducing tissue damage while maintaining structural simplicity through a single continuous curved element.
2Ease of manufacture
If a straight needle design is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the reliability deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The curved needle shaft design improves reliability by aligning with the natural anatomy of the vascular access site, reducing misalignment and increasing insertion success rate. The curvature is designed to be manufacturable using conventional techniques, balancing ease of production with improved clinical performance.
3Device complexity
If a straight needle is used, then the device complexity is low, but the harmful factors increase due to endothelial damage
Solution Approach 1:
The curved needle configuration reduces tissue trauma and endothelial damage by following the natural contour of the vascular access site, minimizing abrupt angular contacts. This geometric modification lowers the harmful effects of insertion while maintaining relatively simple device construction.
4Manufacturing precision
If a curved introducer is used, then the insertion precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved introducer design improves insertion precision by enabling controlled angular orientation during catheter advancement. The curvature is implemented as a single integrated element that provides the necessary angular control without requiring complex mechanical assemblies, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and technologies for vascular access devices having curvature for improved introduction of catheters into vasculatures are disclosed. A representative vascular access device includes a curved introducer having a shaft that includes a tip configured to penetrate at least a proximal wall of a blood vessel of a patient. The shaft may have a straight section and a curved section disposed between the straight section and the tip. The curved section may be configured to provide a curvature between the straight section and the tip such that a tip longitudinal axis that extends from the tip forms an introducer angle with a straight longitudinal axis of the straight section. The introducer angle may be configured to at least partially reduce contact by the tip and catheter with a distal wall of the blood vessel after the tip has been inserted through the proximal wall of the blood vessel.