Luer Insert with Patency Agent Cartridge for Catheter Biofouling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Access devices, such as catheters, are prone to infection and biofouling, leading to complications like bloodstream infections and the need for frequent interventions, which can be costly and traumatic for patients.
Innovation Solution
The development of an insert device that can be connected to catheters to deliver a patency agent into the lumen, extending the catheter's patency by locking a fluid containing the agent within the catheter until the next access event, thereby preventing infection and biofouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If access devices are placed for long-term use, then patient convenience is improved, but infection and biofouling risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is pre-loaded with a patency agent in a cartridge before insertion into the catheter. When locking fluid is introduced, it triggers the release of the pre-positioned agent into the catheter lumen, allowing the agent to be delivered at the optimal time to prevent infection and biofouling during long-term catheter placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary device between the locking fluid injection system and the catheter lumen. It contains and controls the release of the patency agent, mediating the interaction between the external locking fluid and the internal catheter environment to prevent harmful factors while maintaining catheter functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If catheters are frequently accessed and manipulated, then treatment flexibility is improved, but biofouling and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert provides self-service protection by automatically releasing the patency agent when locking fluid is introduced through the catheter. This automated response eliminates the need for manual intervention to protect against biofouling, allowing frequent access and manipulation while maintaining protection against harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patency agent released from the insert provides continuous protection against biofouling throughout the catheter placement duration. The agent remains active in the catheter lumen, maintaining continuous anti-biofouling action even during frequent access events, thereby preserving treatment flexibility without increasing infection risk.
3Reliability
If intervention procedures are performed to rescue compromised catheters, then catheter functionality is restored, but patient trauma and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert provides beforehand protection by delivering the patency agent before biofouling and infection can compromise catheter functionality. This preventive cushioning against harmful factors eliminates the need for rescue interventions, thereby avoiding patient trauma and additional costs associated with catheter replacement procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An insert for a luer-type catheter connection includes a fluid pathway connecting a female end and a male end. The male end is configured for slidable insertion into a female luer fitting of a catheter, and the female end is configured to receive a male luer nozzle of a fluid delivery device. The insert also includes a threaded collar having internal threading faced for coupling with the female luer fitting and external threading faced for coupling with a locking collar on the fluid delivery device. A cartridge located in the fluid pathway is configured to hold a patency agent and further to release the patency agent into the catheter when fluid is passed through the cartridge.