Introducer Interior Surface Features for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing introducer devices, such as overtubes, face challenges with high contact friction between the introducer and medical devices passed through them, leading to increased insertion and retraction forces, potential positional changes of devices, and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of structural surface features on the interior surface of the introducer, particularly at the distal end, to reduce contact friction. These features can include ribs, grooves, bumps, dimples, or saddles, with varying heights, depths, and spacings to optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a water-based lubricant or saline is added to reduce friction, then insertion and retraction forces are reduced, but the lubricant is wiped away by repeated relative movement between the medical device and the introducer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (structural surface features such as ribs, grooves, bumps, dimples, or saddles on the interior surface of the introducer) that mediates between the lubricant and the contact surfaces. These features trap and retain the lubricant, preventing it from being wiped away during repeated device passage, thereby extending the duration of the lubrication effect while maintaining reduced insertion and retraction forces.
2Reliability
If the introducer nose-cone inner diameter is made equal to or smaller than the medical device outer diameter to facilitate sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but contact friction increases and lubricant is stripped from the device surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform structural surface features at specific locations on the interior surface of the introducer, particularly at the distal end or nose-cone region. These localized features (ribs, grooves, bumps, dimples, or saddles) modify the contact characteristics only where needed, maintaining sealing effectiveness through controlled contact while reducing overall friction and preventing lubricant stripping from the medical device surface.
3Reliability
If the medical device is significantly larger than the smallest inner diameter of the tapered nose-cone, then the device can be securely retained, but the suction cup effect increases friction to the point where the device cannot be safely advanced or retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interior surface of the introducer into distinct functional zones using structural surface features. The segmented structure creates multiple small contact points rather than continuous contact, allowing the device to be retained securely while minimizing the suction cup effect. The grooves and dimples divide the contact interface, reducing the cumulative friction force that would otherwise prevent safe advancement or retraction of the device.
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 implementation of structural surface features significantly reduces contact friction, lowers insertion and retraction forces, and helps maintain lubrication, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of medical device insertion and retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
one or more structural surface features are provided on at least a portion of an interior surface along the lumen of the introducer, the structural surface features being configured and/or positioned to reduce contact friction between the interior surface of the introducer and an exterior surface of the medical device extended therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
At least a portion of the interior surface of a tubular member of an introducer for medical devices, such as an overtube, is provided with structural surface features to reduce contact friction between at least a portion of the interior surface of the tubular member and the exterior surface of a medical device longitudinally translated therethrough. The distal end of the introducer may be reinforced with a wire with flattened sides extending circumferentially around the lumen of the introducer so as not to impact the inner diameter of the lumen and thereby to allow simultaneous passage of one or more medical devices therethrough.