Fluidics Control System for Multi-Catheter Stack

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid management systems for medical procedures face challenges such as air bubble introduction, errors in fluid selection, and increased risk of air embolism due to frequent connections and disconnections of tubing during catheter exchange and fluid switching.

Innovation Solution

An integrated fluidics management system with a valve manifold and a control system that allows selective communication between different fluid ports, including vacuum, saline, and contrast media, and a hemostasis valve with adjustable sealing force, to minimize manual intervention and reduce errors and air embolism risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional manual fluid management is used with frequent connections and disconnections of tubing, then flexibility in fluid switching is improved, but the risk of air bubble introduction and air embolism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in fluid switchingVSAvoidrisk of air bubble introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hub as an intermediary device that maintains continuous connection to the catheter while providing multiple fluid source connections. This mediator allows fluid switching without disconnecting from the catheter, thus preventing air bubble introduction while maintaining flexibility in fluid selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-connects multiple fluid sources (saline, contrast, aspiration) to the hub before the procedure begins. This preliminary setup allows the operator to switch between fluids by simply activating different pathways through the hub rather than physically connecting and disconnecting tubing during the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate connections are made for different fluids, then fluid selection accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the fluid management system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid selection accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of fluid management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fluid management functions into a single integrated hub device. All fluid sources (saline, contrast, aspiration) connect to the hub, which then connects to the catheter. This consolidation maintains precise fluid selection capability while reducing the overall complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate connection systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual fluid switching is performed during the procedure, then adaptability to procedural needs is improved, but the time required for fluid management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to procedural needsVSAvoidtime required for fluid management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hub maintains continuous fluid pathway connections throughout the procedure, allowing seamless switching between different fluids without interruption. The operator can transition from saline to contrast or activate aspiration without breaking the fluid circuit, ensuring continuous useful action and eliminating time losses associated with reconnection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The system reduces the likelihood of air embolism and improves procedural efficiency by minimizing manual fluid switching, ensuring precise fluid delivery, and maintaining consistent fluid management throughout the procedure.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum valve configured for connection between a catheter and a source of vacuum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a hemostasis valve with adjustable sealing force... adjustable between at least a low sealing force mode in which a catheter can slide through the valve and the valve prevents retrograde leakage of low pressure fluids, and a high sealing force mode in which the valve clamps tightly over the catheter to prevent retrograde escape of high pressure fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing force:

Data Source

PatentUS20240042124A1Fluidics control system for multi catheter stack

Publication Date: 2024.02.08 IMPERATIVE CARE INC

AI summary

A fluidics control system includes a first processor, a valve system including a first vacuum valve configured for connection between a first catheter and a first source of vacuum, a first saline valve configured for connection between the first catheter and a first source of saline, and a first contrast valve configured for connection between the first catheter and a first source of contrast media, and a first contrast control for initiating introduction of contrast media into the first catheter. The first processor is configured to open the first contrast valve, and close the first saline valve and the first vacuum valve in response to actuation of the first contrast control.