Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Flow Diverting Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) face challenges in completely flushing residual blood and medicament from the catheter adapter due to the angle of the side port, leading to incomplete flushing and potential bacterial growth.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of flow diverting features such as protrusions, diverters, or inserts within or around the side port and catheter adapter to redirect fluid flow in a proximal direction, enhancing flushing efficiency and minimizing residual fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the side port is positioned at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter, then fluid can be injected into the catheter adapter through the extension set, but the primary flow of saline will be directly between the opening of the side port and the catheter, resulting in inadequate flushing of the proximal elongated region
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter adapter interior is segmented into two regions: a proximal elongated region for receiving the septum and a distal region for primary fluid flow. The side port is strategically positioned to serve the distal region, while the protrusion addresses the proximal region, allowing each region to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
A protrusion is introduced as an intermediary element within the catheter adapter lumen. This protrusion acts as a flow mediator that intercepts saline entering from the side port and redirects it toward the proximal elongated region, ensuring complete flushing without requiring modification to the side port angle or position.
2Ease of manufacture
If the interior of the catheter adapter is elongated in the proximal direction to accommodate the septum, then the septum can be properly positioned, but residual blood, medicament, or other fluid may not be adequately flushed from this proximal elongated region
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter adapter interior is segmented into two regions: a proximal elongated region for receiving the septum and a distal region for primary fluid flow. The side port is strategically positioned to serve the distal region, while the protrusion addresses the proximal region, allowing each region to be optimized independently for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
A protrusion is introduced as an intermediary element within the catheter adapter lumen. This protrusion acts as a flow mediator that intercepts saline entering from the side port and redirects it toward the proximal elongated region, ensuring complete flushing without requiring modification to the side port angle or position.
3Reliability
If saline is injected through the extension set to flush the catheter adapter, then residual blood and medicament can be removed, but it is difficult to completely flush the proximal elongated region due to the side port angle
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion is positioned at a specific location within the catheter adapter lumen, specifically configured to address the proximal elongated region. This localized structural feature creates a targeted flow diversion effect precisely where needed, without requiring changes to the overall catheter adapter design or flushing procedure.
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 flow diverting features significantly improve flushing efficiency with minimal increase in pressure, reducing residual blood and medicament, and potentially incorporating antimicrobial properties to prevent bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
a flow diverting feature configured to divert fluid flowing through the side port and into the lumen in a proximal direction
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
PIVCs with extension sets can include one or more flow diverting features for maximizing the amount of flushing that occurs within the interior of the catheter adapter. These flow diverting features can therefore minimize the amount of residual blood, medicament, or other fluid that may exist within the catheter adapter after the PIVC has been flushed via the extension set. The flow diverting features may be in the form of structural modifications to the side port of the extension set, separate components that are contained within the side port or catheter adapter, integrated components within the side port or catheter adapter, other features or some combination of any of these features.