Low Profile Catheter Hub for Subcutaneous Tunneling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hemodialysis catheters have a high profile that complicates subcutaneous tunneling procedures, making it difficult to insert and position them effectively through tissue without causing significant tissue disruption or leaving a large profile that may lead to complications.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile catheter system with a reduced profile catheter hub and extension tubes, along with a clamp mechanism that allows for adjustable positioning and fluid coupling, facilitating easier insertion and minimizing tissue disruption by allowing the catheter to be passed through a subcutaneous tunnel with reduced bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hemodialysis catheter is used, then fluid flow function is maintained, but the high profile complicates subcutaneous tunneling and causes tissue disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter hub is divided into multiple segments including a base portion, a collar, and extension conduits that can be positioned in different orientations. This segmentation allows the hub to maintain its functional volume for fluid flow while distributing the profile across multiple smaller components that can navigate subcutaneous tissue more easily
Solution Approach 2:
The extension conduits are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations (parallel and oblique to the hub axis), allowing the catheter hub to project extension tubes in multiple directions. This dimensional arrangement reduces the overall profile in any single direction while maintaining the necessary fluid flow pathways
2Ease of operation
If the catheter hub is reduced in profile, then ease of tunneling improves, but fluid flow capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The extension conduits are nested within or alongside each other in a compact arrangement, with the first extension conduit arranged parallel to the hub axis and the second extension conduit arranged obliquely. This nested configuration allows multiple fluid flow pathways to be contained within a reduced profile space, maintaining fluid flow capacity while minimizing the catheter's external dimensions
3Volume of moving object
If extension tubes are positioned side by side, then profile is reduced for tissue passage, but positioning precision becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The extension conduits are arranged in an asymmetric configuration where the first extension conduit is positioned parallel to the hub axis while the second extension conduit is positioned obliquely at a different angle and location. This asymmetric arrangement allows the extension tubes to be positioned side by side with reduced profile while maintaining distinct, precisely-defined pathways for each conduit, preventing confusion and ensuring proper positioning
Data Source
AI summary
A medical catheter assembly includes a catheter hub, an elongate catheter member extending from the catheter hub and having at least one longitudinal lumen for passage of fluids, an extension tube extending from the catheter hub and defining an internal lumen in fluid communication with the at least one longitudinal lumen of the catheter member and a clamp positionable about the extension tube. The catheter hub defines a reduced profile to facilitate passage of the catheter hub through a surgical tunnel. The clamp includes first and second clamp sections and defines a longitudinal clamp axis. The clamp has a longitudinal opening for passage of the extension tube and a movable member adapted to move from a first position to a second position to substantially close the internal lumen. The first and second clamp sections are separable to facilitate transverse positioning of the clamp sections about the extension tube.