Encapsulated Marker Band Catheter Tip Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter tips with radiopaque marker bands are vulnerable to dislodgment or damage when inserted over a guidewire due to exposure of the marker band to the inner lumen, posing a safety hazard during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A catheter tip assembly design featuring a marker band encapsulated between an outer and inner portion, where the inner portion fully separates the marker band from the lumen, constructed from materials like thermoplastic polyurethane or polyolefin, and the outer portion is fused to the inner portion to enhance stability and prevent dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the marker band is exposed to the inner lumen for visibility during procedures, then the marker band can be located easily, but the marker band becomes vulnerable to dislodgment or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The marker band is nested between the inner portion and outer portion of the catheter tip, with the inner portion completely enclosing the marker band within its wall structure. This nesting configuration allows the marker band to be protected from dislodgment while maintaining its radiopaque visibility function through the catheter wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner portion is constructed from a flexible material such as thermoplastic polyurethane or polyolefin that forms a protective shell around the marker band. This flexible shell encapsulates the marker band, preventing it from contacting the inner lumen and guidewire while maintaining the catheter's flexibility and the marker band's radiopaque properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If the marker band is molded into the tip with exposed interior diameter, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the marker band is vulnerable to damage during guidewire insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process incorporates the marker band within the wall structure of the inner portion during the molding process. The inner portion is molded to completely enclose the marker band, creating a nested configuration that protects the marker band from external damage while maintaining integration with the catheter tip structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The marker band is positioned and secured within the inner portion wall structure before the catheter undergoes guidewire insertion or retraction procedures. This preliminary encapsulation action prevents subsequent damage that would otherwise occur during these procedures, as the marker band is already protected by the enclosing inner portion.
3Reliability
If the inner portion fully encapsulates the marker band, then the marker band is protected from dislodgment, but the structural complexity of the catheter tip increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner portion and outer portion are merged through fusion to form an integrated catheter tip structure. The inner portion is fused to the outer portion, creating a unified structure that encapsulates the marker band without requiring separate attachment mechanisms or additional components, thereby minimizing structural complexity while maintaining marker band security.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tip employs composite construction with an inner portion made from flexible materials (thermoplastic polyurethane or polyolefin) and an outer portion made from different materials. This composite structure provides both the protective encapsulation function and structural integrity, achieving marker band security through material properties rather than complex mechanical designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter tip assembly comprises a marker band and a catheter tip. The catheter tip has an inner lumen therethrough and an outer portion and an inner portion with the marker band disposed therebetween.