Microfluidic Pressure Switch Catheter Flush Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Catheter-associated infections, particularly those related to biofilm contamination, pose a significant threat in medical settings, as existing catheters often allow contaminated fluids to enter the bloodstream during cleaning, risking further infection and complicating the separation of wash solutions from blood streams.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design featuring a microfluidic pressure switch that connects and disconnects the flushing line from the central line, allowing for safe introduction and removal of cleaning solutions without direct contact with the bloodstream, utilizing a kit with specific cleaning reagents like trypsin, calcium deficient buffers, and ethanol to effectively remove biofilms without contaminating the blood stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a catheter is designed to be reusable and cleaned, then the useful life of the catheter is extended, but contaminated cleaning solutions may enter the bloodstream during cleaning, increasing infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into separate functional channels: a central line for medication delivery and a flushing line for cleaning. This segmentation allows independent operation of each line, enabling cleaning of the catheter without introducing contaminants into the bloodstream, thus extending reusable life while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
A microfluidic pressure switch acts as an intermediary mechanism between the flushing line and central line. It controls the connection state, allowing flushing solutions to be introduced into the central line only when needed for cleaning, while preventing contaminated fluids from entering the bloodstream during normal operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between reusability and infection risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning solutions are introduced into the catheter to remove biofilm, then biofilm contamination is reduced, but the separation of wash solutions from blood stream becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter structure separates the cleaning function into a dedicated flushing line that is distinct from the central line used for blood access. This physical segmentation maintains clear separation between wash solutions and bloodstream, simplifying the separation problem while still enabling effective biofilm removal through the flushing line.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic pressure switch serves as a controlled intermediary that manages the connection between flushing line and central line. It allows precise control over when cleaning solutions are introduced, maintaining separation during normal operation while enabling controlled mixing during cleaning cycles, thus resolving the complexity of separation.
3Reliability
If a microfluidic pressure switch is added to control fluid flow, then safe introduction and removal of cleaning solutions is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic pressure switch is designed to be actuated by fluid pressure differences inherent in the cleaning process itself. The switching action is automatically triggered by the flow dynamics of the cleaning solutions, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve systems with a microfluidic pressure switch that utilizes fluid pressure and flow dynamics to control connectivity. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving more reliable and controllable fluid management, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
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
This design effectively prevents bloodstream infections by ensuring that cleaning solutions do not enter the bloodstream, extends the useful life of catheters, and provides a safer, more efficient method for cleaning and disinfecting catheters, reducing the risk of biofilm-related infections.
Implementation Method 1
The valve comprises a microfluidic movable pressure switch configured to move between the distal end and the flushing line
Implementation Method 2
a) digestive enzyme solution, b) calcium deficient buffer with high ion concentration, c) a solution comprising 70% ethanol
Implementation Method 3
cleaning reagents may then be used to eliminate any biofilm which may have developed in the catheter central line or flushing line
Implementation Method 4
A tip of said microfluidic movable pressure switch is configured to block a narrowed portion of said central line on a tip of said catheter
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
This invention relates to systems for delivering medical devices, as well as related systems and methods. The invention also relates to methods of prevention and treatment of biofilm related contamination of systems or devices for medication delivery and methods of treating medical devices, such as catheters, to prevent infection from said device.