Anterior-Posterior Inflatable Nosebleed Packing Catheter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current nasal packing methods for controlling nosebleeds are complex, painful, and often ineffective for non-otolaryngologists, particularly in treating posterior nosebleeds, due to difficulties in placement and maintaining pressure, leading to increased patient discomfort, treatment time, and costs.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising inflatable, soft, non-elastic anterior and posterior balloon catheters with a flexible design that can be easily inserted and transitioned between anterior and posterior packing, using a Luer-Lok connection for inflation and a hinged clamp for securing the posterior balloon, providing uniform pressure distribution and reducing pain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional nasal packing methods are used, then nosebleeds can be controlled, but the procedure becomes complex and painful requiring multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenosebleed control effectivenessVSAvoidpacking procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines anterior and posterior packing capabilities into a single catheter device. The catheter includes both an anterior balloon for front nasal cavity packing and a posterior balloon for back nasal cavity packing, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining effective nosebleed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single catheter device serves multiple functions: it can inflate the anterior balloon for anterior epistaxis, inflate the posterior balloon for posterior epistaxis, or inflate both simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows one device to handle various nosebleed scenarios that previously required different packing methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional packing methods are used, then nosebleeds can be controlled, but patient discomfort and treatment time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenosebleed control effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is pre-assembled with both anterior and posterior balloons, inflation mechanisms, and positioning features already in place. This preliminary preparation allows the provider to quickly deploy the appropriate balloon without needing to assemble multiple devices during the procedure, significantly reducing treatment time while maintaining effective nosebleed control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional packing methods are used, then nosebleeds can be controlled, but placement difficulty increases for non-specialist physicians

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenosebleed control effectivenessVSAvoidplacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter incorporates self-positioning features including a tapered tip that naturally guides insertion, a longitudinal channel that facilitates proper catheter routing, and balloons that self-adjust to fit the nasal cavity anatomy. These features enable non-specialist providers to achieve correct placement without requiring extensive expertise in traditional packing techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If traditional packing methods are used, then nosebleeds can be controlled, but pressure distribution becomes uneven causing pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenosebleed control effectivenessVSAvoidpatient pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs soft, non-elastic balloon material that changes its physical parameters when inflated - specifically, it distributes pressure uniformly across the nasal cavity surfaces rather than concentrating force at single points. This parameter change in pressure distribution significantly reduces patient pain while maintaining the止血 effectiveness needed to control nosebleeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates easy and comfortable treatment of nosebleeds by non-specialist physicians, allowing for effective anterior and posterior packing without the need for multiple devices, reducing patient discomfort and treatment costs, and ensuring effective pressure application throughout the nasal cavity.

Implementation Method 1

providing uniform pressure distribution and reducing pain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS10806476B2Anterior—posterior inflatable nosebleed packing

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 RANDALL DAVID AWREY

AI summary

A method using one or two inflatable balloon packs for the treatment of epistaxis (nosebleed) from any internal area of the nose. The balloon packing is adapted to be received in and apply pressure to all aspects of the nasal cavity on inflation with a suitable fluid. The anterior (forward) balloon packing has a channel extending between its front and rear aspects to allow passage of a second, posterior (rearward) balloon packing; said posterior packing is adapted to apply pressure to the nasopharynx upon inflation with a suitable fluid. Said method has a means of tensioning packing to continuously apply pressure necessary to control bleeding.