Helical Fluid Pathway in Medical Access Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

During medical procedures using access devices or sheaths, it is challenging for physicians to visualize the internals of the body due to bodily tissue or fluid obscuration, which hinders clear visibility and effective procedure execution.

Innovation Solution

A medical device featuring an elongate member with a helical fluid pathway and ports, allowing for fluid communication and insertion of secondary medical devices, which can convey fluids to improve visibility by clearing the visual field during procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a standard access device with a linear lumen is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the visibility during the procedure is poor due to obscuration by bodily tissue or fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a helical curvature to the fluid pathway within the elongate member, transforming the linear lumen into a spiral configuration. This curved pathway allows fluid to be delivered in a rotating pattern that effectively clears obscuring bodily fluids and tissues from the visual field, thereby improving visibility during the procedure while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Illumination intensity

If fluid is injected continuously at high rate to maintain clear visibility, then visibility is improved, but the fluid loss and potential tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The helical fluid pathway enables periodic or pulsating fluid delivery patterns rather than continuous high-rate injection. The spiral configuration allows fluid to be delivered in controlled bursts that clear the visual field effectively while providing intervals that reduce cumulative fluid loss and minimize potential damage to surrounding tissues from excessive pressure or volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Illumination intensity

If a helical fluid pathway is implemented, then visibility is improved by clearing the visual field, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidfluid pathway configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fluid delivery function with the structural body of the elongate member itself. The helical pathway is formed as an integral part of the elongate member's wall structure rather than as a separate component, combining the structural support function with the fluid conveyance function into a single integrated design that reduces overall device complexity despite the sophisticated fluid delivery pattern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10537361B2Access device having a fluid pathway and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 BOSTON SCI MEDICAL DEVICE LTD

AI summary

A medical device includes an elongate member and a port. The elongate member defines a lumen extending from a first end portion of the elongate member to a second end portion of the elongate member. The elongate member defines a helical pathway configured to convey a fluid. The port defines a lumen. The lumen of the port being in fluid communication with the pathway.