Fiberoptic Illuminated Catheter for Vein Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter insertion devices lack effective illumination of the puncture site and visual feedback during insertion, making it difficult for medical professionals to accurately place catheters in veins, especially in less-than-ideal conditions such as darkness or poor lighting.
Innovation Solution
A catheter insertion device equipped with fiberoptic illumination components that project light from LEDs onto the skin and through the catheter, allowing users to visualize the needle's position and progress under the skin, with light transmission optimized in the 650-1350 nm wavelength range for maximum visibility through skin and tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional catheter insertion devices are used without illumination, then the device structure remains simple and cost-effective, but the puncture site cannot be visualized in dark or poorly lit conditions, making accurate vein placement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is nested within the catheter structure by integrating light-emitting fibers into the catheter wall or hub, allowing the light source to be contained within the existing device architecture rather than requiring external illumination equipment
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries to transmit light from an external or internal source through the catheter structure to illuminate the puncture site and visualize the catheter position within the vein, enabling visualization without requiring the entire device to be a complex illuminated system
2Measurement precision
If blind insertion is used to simplify the procedure, then the insertion process is faster and easier, but the risk of puncturing both vessel walls increases and accurate placement cannot be confirmed
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system provides real-time visual feedback by making the catheter visible through the skin and within the vein, allowing the operator to see the catheter's position and trajectory during insertion, thereby confirming proper placement without requiring time-consuming blind trial-and-error attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The use of light transmission and potential color-coded indicators within the catheter structure enables visual detection of catheter position and vein penetration, providing immediate visual confirmation of successful insertion without extending procedure time
3Illumination intensity
If external illumination sources are used to light the puncture site, then the site can be visualized, but the operator must hold the light source (e.g., between teeth) which is impractical and does not illuminate the catheter position under the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The light source and transmission system are integrated into the catheter device itself, eliminating the need for the operator to manually position external light sources and allowing the illumination to follow the catheter to the puncture site and under the skin
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter device illuminates itself by transmitting light through its own structure to the puncture site and underlying tissues, making the illumination function self-contained and eliminating the need for separate external illumination equipment that requires manual positioning
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
Provides real-time visual confirmation of needle placement within a blood vessel, enhancing accuracy and reducing the risk of puncturing both vessel walls, while being adaptable to conventional introducers and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
A catheter insertion device equipped with fiberoptic illumination components that project light from LEDs onto the skin and through the catheter
Implementation Method 2
light transmission optimized in the 650-1350 nm wavelength range for maximum visibility through skin and tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated catheter adapted for engagement on an introducer is provided which employs a lighting component to communicate light to and through a catheter. The illumination emanating from the catheter during insertion into a patient can illuminate the insertion site and once inserted provide the user illumination which is visually discernible to determine communication of the distal end of the catheter to and into a blood vessel.