Handheld Catheter Control for Single-Operator Needle Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter placement techniques for regional anesthesia require two people to perform the process, leading to inefficiencies and potential misplacement due to the need for a second person, who may be less experienced, resulting in diminished precision and increased procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A single-person catheter control system that allows a user to hold an ultrasound probe with one hand and control the needle and catheter placement, fluid injection/aspiration, and catheter insertion/withdrawal with the other hand using a handheld device with integrated lumens and controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single person performs catheter placement, then resource efficiency improves, but needle control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (ultrasound probe operation, needle control, fluid injection, and catheter insertion) into a single integrated handheld device. This merging allows one operator to perform all tasks simultaneously without releasing control of the needle, thereby maintaining precision while improving resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform ultrasound imaging, needle guidance, fluid injection, and catheter insertion through integrated lumens and controllers. This universality enables a single operator to execute the entire catheter placement procedure without requiring assistance, resolving the contradiction between resource efficiency and operational precision.
2Ease of operation
If a second person assists with catheter placement, then operational complexity reduces, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all catheter placement functions into one handheld device, the system enables a single operator to perform the procedure independently. This eliminates the time required for coordination and handoff between multiple personnel, reducing procedure time while maintaining ease of operation through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single operator uses the integrated handheld device to independently perform all aspects of catheter placement without requiring assistance. The device's self-contained design with integrated lumens and controllers allows the operator to manage the entire process autonomously, reducing both operational complexity and procedure time.
3Manufacturing precision
If a single operator controls all functions, then placement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (ultrasound probe, needle controller, fluid injection system, and catheter insertion mechanism) into a single handheld device. This merging consolidates complexity into one unified system that can be operated by a single person, thereby improving placement precision while managing device complexity through integration rather than multiplication of separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
Example catheter control systems and methods are described. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a housing that includes a first lumen configured to receive a catheter, a second lumen configured to receive fluid, and a third lumen configured to allow the catheter and the fluid to pass through the third lumen simultaneously. A catheter controller is associated with the housing and controls movement of the catheter through the housing.