Everting Member Cannula for Traversing Obstructions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Obstructions within pipes, tubes, and vessels hinder access and fluid movement, posing challenges during surgical procedures and potentially causing damage when attempting to pass devices through obstructed areas.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a cannula with an everting member and push assembly that allows for the advancement of a guidewire and tube across obstructions by pressurizing and depressurizing the everting member to grip and release the guidewire and tube, facilitating safe navigation through blocked vessels or pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If repeated attempts and increased advancement force are applied to pass a catheter across an obstruction, then the catheter can be advanced through the obstruction, but vessel perforation or laceration may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the everting member with balloon) that mediates between the catheter and the obstruction. The balloon is inflated to evert the everting member, which then gently pushes the catheter tip across the obstruction, reducing the need for direct force application that could cause vessel damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic elements including the inflatable balloon that changes volume to evert the everting member, and the movable everting member that transitions from inverted to everted state. This dynamic mechanism allows controlled, gradual advancement across the obstruction rather than forced passage
2Ease of operation
If force is applied to pass devices through obstructed areas, then access across the obstruction is achieved, but damage to the walls of the pipe, tube, body cavity, or vessel occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The everting member acts as a protective intermediary that interfaces with the obstruction and transfers force gradually. The balloon inflation mechanism provides controlled force application, preventing direct traumatic contact between the catheter and the obstruction while maintaining wall integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for force application by first inflating the balloon to evert the everting member, creating a cushioning interface before the actual advancement occurs. This pre-prepared state ensures that force is applied in a controlled, distributed manner rather than as a sudden traumatic force
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
Enables easier passage across obstructions while minimizing damage to vessel walls, allowing for effective traversal of occlusions in both medical and industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
pressurizing the everting member to grip the guidewire
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing the everting member to grip the tube
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for providing access across a site of obstruction and methods for manufacturing and using such systems are provided. Such systems may include a cannula having a lumen, an everting member coupled to the cannula, and a push assembly having a pathway. The push assembly may be slidably disposed within the lumen of the cannula and connected to a proximal end of the everting member to move the everting member from an inverted position inside the cannula to an everted position outside the cannula. The systems may also include a tube having a passageway, the tube slidably disposed within the pathway of the push assembly and extending through a proximal end of the push assembly into the pathway of the push assembly to selectively move from a first position inside the push assembly to a second position outside the push assembly.