Low Profile Lumen Access Catheter with Shape Memory Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central venous catheters are associated with immediate and delayed complications such as hematomas, infections, and venous stenosis due to protein deposition and thrombus formation, which can lead to catheter occlusion and stenosis, particularly in patients requiring venous access for dialysis.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design with a distal tip that protrudes minimally into the vein, secured by shape memory anchors, and equipped with mechanisms to prevent blood clotting and thrombus formation, reducing the surface area for protein deposition and minimizing micro-trauma to the vein wall, thereby reducing complications like infection and stenosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central venous catheter is inserted into the lumen of a vein, then venous access is established for blood sampling, pressure monitoring, and fluid administration, but protein deposition creates catheter related sheaths that can occlude the catheter, enhance infections, and lead to venous stenosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic portion of the catheter by using a collapsible tip design that minimizes the surface area within the vein lumen. Only the necessary distal tip protrudes into the vein for functional access, while the rest of the catheter body remains outside the lumen, thereby reducing protein deposition surface and preventing catheter related sheath formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a collapsible tip that can dynamically adjust its configuration. The tip collapses during insertion and can be compressed further during use, adapting its shape to minimize lumen occupation and surface area exposure to blood, thereby reducing thrombus formation and protein deposition while maintaining venous access functionality
2Reliability
If a significant length of the central venous catheter lies within the lumen of a vein, then venous access is maintained, but a large surface area is exposed for catheter related sheath development and subsequent complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the catheter body from the vein lumen by using an external anchoring system. The catheter is secured to the external surface of the vein using sutures or adhesives applied to the skin or tissue overlying the vein, allowing only the minimal necessary distal tip to protrude into the lumen for functional access, thereby dramatically reducing the surface area exposed to blood and preventing catheter related sheath development
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distal tip of the catheter is mobile within the lumen of a vein, then positioning flexibility is maintained, but constant motion results in repeated micro-trauma to the adjacent vein wall and thrombus formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by securing the catheter to the external vein surface before the catheter tip can cause micro-trauma. The external anchoring system prevents catheter migration and stabilizes the tip position, eliminating constant motion and repeated micro-trauma to the vein wall while maintaining adequate positioning for venous access functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a collapsible tip design that reduces the profile and surface area of the distal tip within the lumen. This dynamic configuration minimizes mechanical interaction with the vein wall during blood flow, respiration, and cardiac motion, thereby reducing micro-trauma and thrombus formation while maintaining positioning flexibility through the external anchoring system
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the catheter opening is covered by catheter related sheath, then the sheath provides protective coverage, but the catheter opening is effectively occluded preventing blood sampling and fluid administration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the catheter body from the vein lumen using external anchoring, which prevents catheter related sheath formation around the main catheter body. Since only the minimal distal tip protrudes into the lumen and is externally secured, there is no significant surface area for sheath development that could occlude the catheter opening, thereby maintaining both protection and functionality
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 design minimizes immediate complications during insertion, reduces thrombosis and stenosis risks, and maintains venous blood flow, providing a secure and reliable method for short-term venous access while minimizing the development of catheter-related sheaths and infections.
Implementation Method 1
secured by shape memory anchors
Data Source
AI summary
A temporary low profile intraluminal catheter for infusing agents into, or extracting fluids from, a bodily lumen featuring securement structure, wherein the securement structure allows the catheter to be placed with minimal intrusion into the bodily lumen is disclosed. With such design affording a more efficient, verifiable placement of the catheter with less complication due to infection and biofilm related issues, among other types of complications.