Fused Multitube Catheter for Single-Entry Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multitube catheter assemblies require multiple procedures and incisions for insertion, increasing risks and potential for leakage at the vessel entry site, while also lacking independent movement and stable flow properties within the vessel.
Innovation Solution
A multitube catheter assembly is developed where two or more tubes are fused together using heat and pressure, with metallic mandrels protecting the lumens during fusion, allowing for releasable or non-releasable joining and longitudinal splitting, and featuring distal split, stepped, or tapered tip ends for improved insertion and flow characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate catheters are inserted through different incisions, then independent movement and stable flow properties are achieved, but the number of procedures and incisions increases, increasing risks and potential for leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple catheter tubes are fused together at their proximal ends to form a single integrated assembly that can be inserted through one incision. The fusion creates a unified structure while maintaining separate lumens, eliminating the need for multiple separate incisions and reducing leakage risk at multiple entry sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter assembly is segmented into multiple independent tubes that are fused only at the proximal end, allowing each tube to maintain independent movement and function at the distal end while being inserted as a single unit through one incision.
2Ease of operation
If tubes are fused together to enable single-tunnel insertion, then insertion complexity is reduced, but the tubes may lose independent movement capability
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into fused proximal sections for easy single-tunnel insertion and separate distal sections that remain independent and free-floating, allowing each tube to move independently within the vessel for optimal positioning and stable flow properties.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter have different properties: the proximal end is fused to enable single-tunnel insertion, while the distal ends are separated and free-floating to provide independent movement and stable flow characteristics within the vessel.
3Strength
If distal ends are fused together, then structural integrity is improved, but fluid flow stability and independent positioning are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is segmented such that only the proximal ends are fused to maintain structural integrity for handling and insertion, while the distal ends remain separate and free-floating to ensure stable fluid flow and independent positioning within the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusion is applied locally only to the proximal portion of the catheter tubes, providing structural integrity where needed for assembly and insertion, while leaving the distal portions separate to maintain optimal fluid flow characteristics and independent movement capabilities.
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 solution enables easy single-tunnel insertion, minimizes leakage risks, and provides independent movement and stable fluid flow within the vessel, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of catheterization procedures.
Implementation Method 1
metallic mandrels protecting the lumens during fusion
Implementation Method 2
tubes are fused together by use of heat & pressure
Implementation Method 3
tubes are fused together by use of heat & pressure
Implementation Method 4
The heat sensible tube will generate pressure once heat is applied
Data Source
AI summary
Multitube catheter and method for making the same are provided. The assembly includes two or more tube fused together to form one catheter tube shaft. Each tube has at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter from its distal end to its proximal end. The tubes are fused together by use of heat & pressure. Heat and pressure can be generated by heat sensitive tube slides over a segment of catheter tubes while metallic mandrels are passed through each tube lumen to protect the lumens during fusion. The heat sensitive tube will shrink once heat is applied. The heat sensitive tube will shrink and apply the required pressure over the catheter tubes. Continual heating will melt and re-shape the catheter tubes inside the heat sensitive tube while the letter will not be affected due to its high melting temperature. After cooling, the heat sensitive tube is to be removed, the metallic mandrels are pulled back and the tubes forming the united catheter tube. Distal end of the united catheter tube can be splited to form split tip, stepped tip or can be tapered tipped. The proximal segment (none fused) will form catheter extension legs. The pressure applied can also be created by silicon or rubber tube stretched over the catheter tubes, in a mould, by coextrusion, by over molding, through adhesions are other possible methods.