Expandable Catheter for High-Flow Peripheral Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV catheters are difficult to insert due to their large size, especially in patients with contracted veins, limiting the ability to deliver large volumes of fluid or medication, and often require invasive central lines or repeated insertion attempts, which can cause damage and delay treatment.
Innovation Solution
A catheterization system that includes a housing, needle, and dilator, allowing for the initial placement of a smaller diameter catheter, which can be expanded to a larger diameter using a dilator with a shaped distal end, enabling easier insertion and increased fluid flow without the need for replacing the catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large diameter catheter is used to deliver large volumes of fluid, then fluid delivery capacity is improved, but insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with expandable walls that allow it to change diameter from a smaller initial state (for easy insertion) to a larger expanded state (for high-volume fluid delivery). The catheter includes an expansion mechanism with radial arms that can be actuated to expand the catheter wall diameter after insertion, resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and high fluid delivery capacity.
2Ease of operation
If a small diameter catheter is used to facilitate insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but fluid delivery capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter transitions from a small diameter configuration during insertion to a larger diameter configuration during fluid delivery. The expandable wall structure allows the catheter to maintain a small initial diameter for easy insertion, then expand to a larger diameter to provide adequate fluid delivery capacity, eliminating the need to choose between insertion ease and fluid delivery capacity.
3Quantity of substance
If a central line is placed to provide large volume fluid delivery, then fluid delivery capacity is improved, but invasiveness and complication risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable catheter allows peripheral vein access to achieve central line-level fluid delivery capacity without actually placing a central line. By expanding the catheter wall diameter after peripheral insertion, the system provides high-volume fluid delivery capability while maintaining the lower invasiveness and reduced complication risk of peripheral access, thus resolving the contradiction between fluid delivery capacity and invasiveness.
4Quantity of substance
If repeated insertion attempts are made to place a large catheter, then fluid delivery capacity is improved, but time delay and tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is inserted at a smaller diameter where it can be easily placed in a single attempt, then expanded to a larger diameter to provide the required fluid delivery capacity. This eliminates the need for repeated insertion attempts, reducing both time delay and tissue damage to the patient's skin and veins while still achieving the necessary fluid delivery capability.
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
Facilitates easier catheter placement and allows for higher fluid flow rates without the need for central lines, reducing the risk of damage and delays in medication administration.
Implementation Method 1
a dilator is configured to be inserted into the catheter thereby increasing its diameter and reducing its gauge
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide for a catheterization system and related methods. The systems and methods provide for the initial placement of a smaller diameter catheter within a patient, the catheter being expandable to a larger diameter by the implementation of a dilator, wherein the dilator is configured to contact and expand a lumen of the catheter as it is inserted therethrough.