Dual Sheath System for Pump Introduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for introducing fluid pumps into lumens, such as in minimally invasive medical procedures, face a high risk of damaging the shaft catheter, which reduces the pump's lifespan and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first sheath and a second sheath, where the second sheath provides additional protection for the shaft catheter during pump introduction, allowing the pump to be inspected and threaded without pressure, and then transferred into the first sheath, reducing the risk of damage and improving the pump's running time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump is introduced directly into the first sheath under time pressure, then the introduction process is faster, but the shaft catheter is at high risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is threaded into the second sheath in advance, allowing inspection and preparation without time pressure. This preliminary action ensures the shaft catheter is properly positioned and protected before the actual introduction into the patient, resolving the contradiction between speed and safety by preparing everything beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sheath acts as an intermediary protective device between the pump/shaft catheter and the first sheath. It provides an additional layer of protection during the introduction process, allowing careful handling while maintaining efficient delivery to the target site.
2Reliability
If the pump is inspected and threaded carefully without pressure, then the shaft catheter damage risk is reduced, but the introduction process takes more time
Solution Approach 1:
All careful inspection and threading operations are performed in advance during the preparation phase with the second sheath. Once the pump is properly positioned in the second sheath, the actual introduction into the patient is a quick single motion, thus the time-consuming careful work is done beforehand, not during the critical introduction moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction process is divided into two distinct phases: (1) careful preparation and inspection phase with the second sheath, and (2) rapid introduction phase into the first sheath. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently - careful work when time is available, and fast action when it counts.
3Device complexity
If a single sheath system is used, then the device complexity is lower, but the protection against shaft damage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The second sheath is nested within or coupled to the first sheath, creating a layered protection system. The pump is first threaded into the inner second sheath, which is then introduced together with or into the outer first sheath. This nesting provides enhanced protection without requiring a completely separate independent system.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sheath serves as an intermediary protective layer between the vulnerable shaft catheter and the external environment. It absorbs potential damage during introduction and handling, protecting the critical shaft catheter components while adding only moderate complexity to the overall system.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention resides in the field of introducing fluid pumps into a lumen and relates to a system for introducing a pump into a lumen which comprises a first sheath and a pump to be introduced into the first sheath, or a system which has a pump with a distal pump unit and a shaft catheter which emerges proximally to the pump unit. According to the invention one or two sheaths are used, the distal pump unit being pulled firstly into the distal end of one sheath, in order to avoid damage to a shaft catheter. Subsequently, the sheath receiving the pump unit is transferred into a further sheath or a receiving lumen.