Introducer Sheath Color Coding for Diameter Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduced wall thickness of sheath tubes in introducers makes it difficult to distinguish between new and previous models, and to recognize the relationship between inner and outer diameters, leading to potential misidentification of device sizes during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating distinct information pieces, such as colors or figures, on the sheath tube and hub to indicate inner and outer diameter dimensions, allowing easy differentiation between sheath tubes with reduced and non-reduced wall thickness, and facilitating recognition of diameter relationships.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wall thickness of the sheath tube is reduced to make the outer diameter small and inner diameter large, then the ease of introduction to puncture site is improved, but the ability to easily recognize the difference from previous models deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to the sheath tube and hub components. Specifically, the sheath tube is colored differently from the hub, and different wall thickness configurations (reduced vs. non-reduced) are indicated by distinct color combinations. This allows medical personnel to easily distinguish between different introducer models and configurations during procedures, resolving the information recognition problem while maintaining the reduced wall thickness design benefits.
2Ease of operation
If the wall thickness of the sheath tube is reduced to make the outer diameter small and inner diameter large, then the ease of introduction to puncture site is improved, but the ability to recognize the relationship between inner diameter and outer diameter deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color coding to indicate the relationship between inner and outer diameters. Different color combinations on the sheath tube and hub correspond to specific diameter relationships, allowing medical personnel to quickly understand the dimensional characteristics of the introducer without needing to measure or calculate. This resolves the information loss problem while maintaining the optimized wall thickness design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension (color) to convey dimensional information (inner/outer diameter relationship). Instead of relying solely on physical measurements, the invention uses color as an additional information carrier that encodes the diameter relationship, making this information immediately accessible and recognizable during medical procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the same color code is used for reduced wall thickness sheath tube as for previous models, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to distinguish between different models deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a color coding system where different wall thickness configurations are represented by distinct color combinations. The sheath tube and hub are assigned specific colors that together indicate the model type and wall thickness configuration. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardized color application while effectively communicating the structural differences between models to medical personnel.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] Provided is an introducer with which it is possible to easily distinguish an introducer provided with a sheath tube of which the wall thickness is reduced, from an introducer provided with a previous sheath tube of which the wall thickness is not reduced, and to easily recognize the relationship between the inner diameter and the outer diameter in regards to the sheath tube of which the wall thickness is reduced. [Solution] An introducer 10 includes an introducer sheath 20 which includes an elongated hollow sheath tube 21 and a sheath hub 22 which is provided at the proximal side of the sheath tube and provided with an insertion port 25a through which the dilator 30 is inserted. A first information piece 51 having an inner diameter dimension of the sheath tube as an index is shown on at least one of the sheath tube and the sheath hub. Furthermore, a second information piece 52 having an outer diameter dimension of the sheath tube as an index is shown on at least one of the sheath tube and the sheath hub.