Introducer With Integrated Doppler Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vascular insertion methods, such as those using Doppler probes, are inefficient and prone to complications due to inexact artery location and difficulty in inserting introducers, especially in patients with challenging vasculature or obesity, leading to potential nerve or arterial damage and increased procedure time.
Innovation Solution
A vascular insertion device equipped with a needle incorporating a flow sensor guide shaft that allows real-time detection of blood flow and pressure sensors to guide precise placement of the introducer, enabling safer and faster insertion with reduced complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external Doppler imaging is used to locate the radial artery, then artery location accuracy is improved, but procedure time increases and insertion difficulty remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the Doppler sensor with the introducer needle into a single integrated device. The Doppler sensor is positioned at the distal end of the introducer, allowing simultaneous localization and insertion functions to be performed by one device rather than requiring separate Doppler imaging equipment and manual insertion, thus reducing procedure time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer itself acts as an intermediary carrier for the Doppler sensor, positioning the sensor directly at the insertion site. This eliminates the need for separate external Doppler equipment and allows real-time blood flow detection during the insertion process, reducing overall procedure time while maintaining localization accuracy
2Measurement precision
If external Doppler imaging is used to locate the radial artery, then artery location accuracy is improved, but insertion difficulty increases due to inexact positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The Doppler sensor provides real-time feedback on blood flow detection during the insertion process. When the sensor detects blood flow signals, it indicates successful artery contact, giving the operator immediate feedback to confirm proper positioning and reduce insertion difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the Doppler sensor with the introducer, the device provides both localization and insertion functions in one unit. The sensor is positioned exactly where insertion occurs, eliminating the disconnect between external imaging and actual insertion point, thereby improving ease of operation
3Device complexity
If conventional insertion methods are used, then device complexity is low, but reliability of safe insertion decreases due to vascular perforation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely mechanical insertion methods with a system that incorporates acoustic sensing (Doppler effect). The Doppler sensor detects blood flow acoustically to confirm artery contact, substituting blind mechanical insertion with sensor-guided insertion, thereby improving reliability while adding controlled complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The Doppler sensor acts as an intermediary between the operator and the artery, providing real-time information about blood flow during insertion. This intermediary feedback mechanism allows the operator to confirm successful artery contact before completing insertion, significantly improving safety and reliability
4Device complexity
If conventional insertion methods are used, then device complexity is low, but procedure efficiency decreases due to time-consuming preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the localization function (Doppler sensor) and the insertion function (introducer) into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for separate preparation steps involving external Doppler equipment, site re-prepping, and multiple device handling, thereby improving procedural efficiency while adding controlled complexity to the device itself
Solution Approach 2:
The Doppler sensor is pre-positioned at the distal end of the introducer, ready for immediate use during insertion. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for separate setup and preparation steps, allowing the operator to proceed directly with insertion while the sensor is already in place to detect blood flow, thereby improving efficiency
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
The device facilitates accurate and timely placement of cannulas into arteries, reducing vascular perforation risks and improving accessibility for patients with difficult vasculature, thereby enhancing procedural efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor (e.g., Doppler sensor) is incorporated into a guide shaft (220) placed inside the needle (240)
Implementation Method 2
The introducer (200) additionally includes a pressure sensor that provides confirmation that the needle has entered the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An introducer, including a needle, a guide shaft, and a sheath, that can be used to place an access cannula into a blood vessel. In an embodiment, the guide shaft includes a Doppler flow sensor, allowing a user to easily identify a vein or artery beneath the skin. In another embodiment, the guide shaft also includes a pressure sensor.