Handheld Vessel Access Device with Depth Scale
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for placing catheters or sheaths into vessels, such as central venous catheters, are cumbersome, costly, and often require multiple attempts due to reliance on manual skills and large robotic devices, which can fail to accurately target the venous lumen even with ultrasound guidance.
Innovation Solution
A portable, handheld device with an imaging attachment and depth scale, combined with a disposable cartridge containing a sheath, needle, or guidewire, allows for precise placement of medical instruments into vessels by integrating with existing imaging systems to determine and adjust insertion depth accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large robotic devices are used for CVC placement, then placement precision may improve, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two main segments: a reusable handheld device containing the imaging system and control mechanisms, and a disposable cartridge containing the needle and sheath. This segmentation allows the complex imaging and control functions to be separated from the simple insertion function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
An ultrasound imaging system serves as an intermediary between the operator and the vessel target. The imaging system provides real-time visualization of the needle tip position relative to the vessel, enabling precise placement without requiring complex robotic automation. The depth scale acts as another intermediary to provide accurate depth measurement.
2Device complexity
If manual skills are relied upon for CVC placement, then device complexity is reduced, but placement reliability decreases due to multiple attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time ultrasound imaging feedback that displays the needle tip position, vessel location, and insertion depth to the operator. This feedback loop allows the operator to make informed adjustments during the procedure, significantly improving placement reliability while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces reliance on operator skill and experience with an objective imaging-based measurement system. The ultrasound imaging and depth scale provide quantitative feedback about needle position, replacing subjective manual assessment and reducing the need for multiple attempts.
3Measurement precision
If ultrasound guidance is used for CVC placement, then placement accuracy improves, but the procedure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the ultrasound imaging system, depth scale, and needle/sheath delivery mechanism into a single integrated handheld device. This consolidation simplifies the procedure by providing all necessary functions in one unit, reducing the number of separate components and steps required compared to traditional separate ultrasound and manual insertion approaches.
4Device complexity
If disposable cartridges are used with reusable handheld devices, then cost and complexity of individual components is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The needle and sheath are pre-assembled in the disposable cartridge at the factory with precise positioning. This preliminary action ensures that the critical dimensional relationships are established under controlled manufacturing conditions, reducing the precision requirements for the reusable handheld device and simplifying its design.
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
Enables accurate and reliable access to vessel lumens at depths from 5 mm to 60 mm, reducing the need for large robotic devices and improving placement success rates without requiring external power, making it suitable for various medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasound has been used to assist in the placement of a CVC in a vein. Ultrasound can be used to locate the venous lumen and provide a visual target
Data Source
AI summary
A method for accessing the lumen of a vessel may utilize a reusable handheld device. The reusable handheld device includes an imaging device attachment utilized to secure an image capturing instrument, an arm coupled to the imaging device attachment, and a depth scale coupled to the arm, wherein the depth scale provides a scale indicating an insertion depth. A disposable cartridge attaches to the reusable handheld device. The disposable cartridge includes a sheath, needle or guidewire coupled to the disposable cartridge. The sheath or needle extends to the insertion depth when fully advanced, thereby allowing the sheath, needle, or guidewire to access the lumen of a vessel.