Dilator Surface Depressions Reduce Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous tracheostomy dilators require significant force for insertion, which can lead to trauma and prolong the procedure, necessitating skilled handling to avoid damage to the trachea or posterior tracheal wall.
Innovation Solution
A dilator with a pattern of depressions on its outer surface, specifically in the range of 0.1 to 3 mm depth and 0.1 to 5 mm spacing, distributed along a substantial portion of the distal portion, reduces the force required for insertion and minimizes trauma, potentially combined with a hydrophilic coating and an inflatable balloon for controlled dilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single dilator with smooth outer surface is used for percutaneous tracheostomy, then the number of procedure steps and components is reduced, but the force required for insertion increases leading to potential trauma and longer procedure time
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator features a pattern of depressions localized to specific regions of its outer surface, creating areas of reduced contact area and lower friction. This local modification allows the dilator to be inserted with reduced force while maintaining structural integrity and functionality elsewhere on the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface geometry of the dilator is modified by introducing depressions with specific depth parameters (0.1-3 mm) and spacing parameters (0.1-5 mm between adjacent depressions). These parameter changes optimize the balance between insertion force reduction and structural strength, allowing easier insertion while preventing trauma.
2Device complexity
If a single dilator is used to reduce procedure steps, then device complexity is reduced, but the procedure time increases due to slower insertion requiring careful handling
Solution Approach 1:
The pattern of depressions is strategically positioned on the dilator surface to reduce friction during insertion. This localized surface modification enables faster, smoother insertion while maintaining safety margins, thereby reducing procedure time without compromising the simplicity of using a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the depth (0.1-3 mm) and spacing (0.1-5 mm) of surface depressions, the dilator achieves reduced insertion resistance. This allows the single-component design to be inserted more quickly and with less care required, directly reducing procedure time while maintaining device simplicity.
3Device complexity
If a single dilator is used to simplify the procedure, then the number of components is reduced, but the risk of trauma to trachea or posterior tracheal wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depressions are positioned and sized to create localized low-friction zones that reduce the force needed for insertion. This allows the single dilator to be inserted more easily without requiring excessive force that could cause trauma to the trachea or posterior tracheal wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific parameters of depression depth (0.1-3 mm) and spacing (0.1-5 mm) are optimized to reduce insertion force to safe levels. This parameter optimization ensures that the simplified single-component design can be safely inserted without increasing trauma risk.
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
The dilator with surface depressions reduces the force needed for insertion, shortening the procedure time and minimizing tissue trauma, while the hydrophilic coating and balloon enhance ease of use and controlled dilation, reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
a region of an outer surface of said distal portion is provided with a pattern of depressions having a depth in the interval of 0.1 to 3 mm. It is found that by providing such depressions, the force required to introduce the dilator is reduced compared to a conventional prior art dilator having a smooth outer surface.
Implementation Method 2
potentially combined with a hydrophilic coating and an inflatable balloon for controlled dilation
Data Source
AI summary
A dilator (100) for performing a percutaneous medical procedure, said dilator (100) comprising a proximal shaft portion (112) near a proximal end (114) thereof and a distal portion having a general tapering shape towards a distal end (120) of said dilator (100), said distal portion being adapted for dilation of body tissue.To provide a dilator which can shorten time of procedure a region of an outer surface of said distal portion is provided with a pattern of depressions having a depth in the interval of 0.1 to 3 mm.