Magnetized Polymeric Catheters for Continuous Vein Access Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vascular access devices lack precise visualization and location tracking of catheters during invasive procedures, particularly when accessing small veins under the skin, leading to increased patient discomfort and risk of injury.

Innovation Solution

A magnetized polymeric catheter with a magnetized composition dispersed in the polymer, which can be detected by a magnetometer, combined with ultrasound imaging to provide real-time visualization and tracking, ensuring accurate placement and maintaining visibility post-cannula removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a metal cannula is magnetized for procedural guidance, then visualization of the insertion device is improved, but precise location information for the catheter tip relative to vascular anatomy is lost after cannula removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter location informationVSAvoidmagnetization system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the magnetic field source directly into the catheter by embedding magnetic particles within the polymeric catheter material itself, rather than relying on a separate metal cannula. This merging ensures that the catheter maintains its own magnetic signature for continuous tracking throughout the indwell period, eliminating the information loss that occurs when the cannula is removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical metal cannula system with a polymeric catheter containing dispersed magnetic particles. This substitution allows the catheter to be magnetized and tracked without requiring a separate metal component, providing continuous location information while simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If traditional needle insertion methods are used without visualization aids, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of catheter location relative to vascular anatomy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter location precisionVSAvoidvisualization system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces magnetic particles as an intermediary within the catheter material that enable detection by external magnetometers. This intermediary allows the catheter to be tracked through tissue without requiring direct visual line-of-sight or complex imaging systems, achieving precise location measurement while keeping the overall system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the magnetic properties of the catheter by incorporating magnetic particles into the polymeric material. This parameter change enables the catheter to interact with magnetic field detection systems, providing precise location information that was previously unavailable with traditional non-magnetic catheters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the catheter wall is made thin for patient comfort, then patient discomfort is reduced, but the catheter becomes harder to detect and track

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient discomfortVSAvoidcatheter detectability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material consisting of a polymeric catheter base material combined with dispersed magnetic particles. This composite structure allows the catheter to maintain a thin wall for patient comfort while the embedded magnetic particles provide detectability through magnetic field interaction, resolving the contradiction between thinness and detectability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies magnetic particles locally within the catheter wall structure, concentrating the detectability function within the catheter material itself. This allows different regions of the catheter to have optimized properties - the overall wall remains thin for comfort while the magnetic particles embedded within provide sufficient magnetic signal for detection and tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enhances the success rate of vein access by providing precise catheter location and visualization, reducing patient discomfort and procedural risks through improved visualization and tracking capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the magnetized composition comprising a magnetic material dispersed in the polymer... having a magnetic field that is detectable by a magnetometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3463541B1Magnetized catheters and devices

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

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AI summary

Catheters, vascular access devices using such catheters, methods of using such catheters and uses of such catheters are disclosed. The catheter comprises polymeric tubing including a composition that can be magnetized by application of an externally applied magnetic field, thereby magnetizing the tubing. Detection of the magnetic field provides location information for the catheter in the vasculature.