Medical Tubular Element With Multi-Angle Tip for Damage Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tubular medical devices, such as percutaneous cannulas and catheters, face issues with fragile tips that risk damage and detachment from calcified tissues, and lack of visibility during use, complicating their insertion and extraction in body cavities.

Innovation Solution

A tubular element with a distal end and intermediate portion featuring two distinct operating angles and a detectable marker, ensuring stability and ease of use, while incorporating multiple layers for enhanced mechanical properties and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the distal end has a single pointed angle to facilitate insertion and detachment of components, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to fragility and risk of damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertionVSAvoidrisk of breakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The distal end is segmented into multiple portions (first distal portion with first angle, second distal portion with second angle) that have different geometric characteristics. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while the combination provides overall structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different local regions of the distal end have different geometric qualities - the first distal portion has a sharper angle for insertion and detachment, while the second distal portion has a different angle for stability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the distal end has a pointed configuration to facilitate insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but strength deteriorates due to the hardness of structures operated on

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertionVSAvoidresistance to damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The distal end is divided into multiple segments with different angles, where the first segment provides the sharp point for insertion and the second segment provides structural reinforcement, resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distal end combines different geometric configurations (different angles) in a composite structure that integrates the benefits of sharp insertion capability with enhanced strength and damage resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If the tubular element has a simple single-angle tip design, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates for different insertion scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetip structure complexityVSAvoidadaptability to different scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tip is segmented into multiple portions with different angles, providing adaptability for various insertion scenarios and tissue types while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not significantly increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-angle distal end provides universal applicability for different medical procedures and insertion scenarios, making the device versatile without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3760144B1Tubular element for medical use
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 FIAB
  • EP3760144B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3760144B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3A
  • EP3760144B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3B

AI summary

Described is a tubular element for medical use having a main body (2), a distal end (3) and an intermediate portion (4). The main body (2) extends along a main axis of extension (X). The distal end (3) has a front edge inclined relative to the main axis of extension (X) in such a way as to form a first operating angle (α). The intermediate portion (4) is configured to join the distal end (3) to the main body (2) and has a front edge inclined with respect to the main axis of extension (X) in such a way as to form a second operating angle (β) which is different from the first operating angle (α). [Fig. 1]