Handheld Vessel Access Device with Motorized Needle Advancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for placing catheters, sheaths, and guidewires into vessels are inefficient and prone to error, relying heavily on manual dexterity and often requiring multiple attempts, with existing robotic solutions being cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with a pivotally attached arm and image device attachment, integrated with a commercially available imaging system, allows for precise placement of needles, guidewires, and sheaths by adjusting to a desired insertion depth and providing motorized advancement and retraction, facilitating accurate vessel access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual dexterity is relied upon for catheter placement, then procedural flexibility is maintained, but placement accuracy decreases and multiple attempts are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (robotic arm with image guidance system) that mediates between the operator and the catheter placement process. The image guidance system acts as an intermediary that provides visual feedback and precision positioning, while the robotic arm serves as an intermediary mechanism that executes precise movements, thereby improving placement accuracy without completely eliminating operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical system with a hybrid system that incorporates image guidance technology and robotic positioning mechanisms. This substitution introduces optical and computational elements that enhance precision beyond what manual dexterity alone can achieve, while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive controls
2Measurement precision
If existing robotic devices are used for catheter placement, then placement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the catheter placement system into distinct functional modules: an image guidance system, a robotic arm positioning system, and a catheter delivery mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the use of commercially available imaging systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining placement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the system to be universally compatible with commercially available imaging systems, allowing the same robotic platform to work with different image guidance systems. This multi-functionality approach reduces device complexity by avoiding the need for proprietary integrated systems and enables flexibility in configuration based on specific procedural needs
3Productivity
If multiple manual attempts are made for vessel access, then adaptability to different vessel positions is maintained, but procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by using the image guidance system to identify and map the target vessel and optimal insertion path before actual catheter placement. The robotic arm pre-positions the catheter along the planned trajectory, and preliminary imaging confirms proper positioning before final deployment, thereby eliminating the need for multiple corrective attempts and reducing procedural time
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for accessing the lumen of a vessel. The apparatus includes a handheld device and a cartridge. The handheld device includes an imaging device attachment utilized to secure an image capturing instrument, an arm coupled to the imaging device attachment. The cartridge includes a sheath, needle or guidewire coupled to the 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.