Dual-Durometer Central Catheter for Direct Insertion Without Buckling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing central venous catheters (CVCs) lack column strength, requiring the Seldinger technique for insertion, which is time-consuming and increases patient trauma and contamination risk due to multiple medical devices.

Innovation Solution

A rapidly insertable central catheter (RICC) with a dual-polymer construction and a single catheter tube design, featuring a suture wing and extension legs, providing sufficient column strength for direct insertion and reducing device handling steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the Seldinger technique is used to insert central venous catheters, then the catheter can be advanced through vasculature, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires multiple medical devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion speedVSAvoidnumber of medical devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single catheter device that can be inserted directly without requiring separate guidewires, dilators, or other Seldinger technique components. The catheter integrates structural support elements and insertion features into one unified device, eliminating the need for multiple separate medical devices and reducing procedural steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is pre-configured with internal structural supports and insertion features before use. The column strength-enhancing elements are built into the catheter structure in advance, allowing direct insertion without requiring preliminary placement of guidewires or sequential dilation steps that characterize the Seldinger technique.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If multiple medical devices are used in the Seldinger technique, then catheter advancement is possible, but patient trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter advancement capabilityVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple functions into a single catheter device, the patent eliminates the need for repeated instrument exchanges and multiple puncture attempts associated with the Seldinger technique. The single-device approach reduces mechanical trauma to blood vessels and surrounding tissues while maintaining the ability to advance the catheter through vasculature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple medical devices are interchanged during insertion, then catheter placement is achieved, but touch contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter placement successVSAvoidtouch contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces the number of times the operator must touch and interchange devices by using a single integrated catheter system. Fewer hand-offs and device exchanges mean fewer opportunities for touch contamination, while the catheter maintains its ability to be successfully placed through the vasculature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If catheter material has low durometer for flexibility, then catheter is easy to insert, but column strength is insufficient causing buckling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion flexibilityVSAvoidcolumn strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material construction within the catheter, combining softer polymeric materials that provide flexibility for insertion with embedded structural supports or reinforcement elements that enhance column strength. This composite approach allows the catheter to bend during insertion while maintaining sufficient rigidity to prevent buckling when advanced through vasculature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter features localized structural enhancements at specific regions where column strength is needed, such as the proximal portion or sections subjected to compression during advancement. The rest of the catheter maintains lower durometer material for flexibility, creating a gradient of mechanical properties that optimizes both insertion ease and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12611520B2Rapidly insertable central catheter and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 BARD ACCESS SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICC”) and methods thereof are disclosed. In an example, a RICC includes a catheter tube, a suture wing disposed over a medial portion of the catheter tube, a hub coupled to a proximal-end portion of the catheter tube, and a number of extension legs extending from the hub. The catheter tube can include a first section in a distal portion of the catheter tube formed of a first polymeric material having a first durometer. The catheter tube can also include a second section proximal of the first section of the catheter tube formed of a second polymeric material having a second durometer less than the first durometer. The catheter tube can have a column strength sufficient to prevent buckling of the catheter tube when inserted into an insertion site and advanced through a vasculature of a patient without use of the Seldinger technique.