Midline Catheter Shuttling Mechanism for One-Handed Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing midline catheter devices require complex, multi-step procedures that involve the use of guidewires and ultrasonic probes, leading to potential misplacement and increased risk of contamination during insertion, necessitating improved devices for controlled cannula penetration.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed catheter insertion device that advances the catheter over a fixed introducer needle without the need for a guidewire, allowing simultaneous use of an ultrasonic probe for visualization, with a shuttling mechanism for step-wise advancement and a safety mechanism to retract the needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a guidewire is used to advance the catheter into the vein, then the catheter can be positioned accurately, but the procedure becomes complex and requires multiple hands and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the guidewire component from the catheter insertion system, replacing it with a catheter that has pre-formed curvature and flexibility to navigate veins directly. This extraction of the guidewire simplifies the procedure while maintaining placement accuracy through the catheter's inherent design features.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support for itself during insertion, navigates the vein through its curvature, and maintains positioning without requiring separate guidewire and dilator components. This multi-functionality consolidates the procedure into a single device.
2Measurement precision
If the clinician uses both hands to advance the catheter and manipulate the advancing mechanism, then the catheter can be positioned precisely, but the ultrasonic probe must be set down resulting in loss of visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with self-advancing capabilities through its pre-formed curvature and flexibility, allowing it to navigate the vein autonomously once inserted. The catheter's design enables it to follow the venous path without requiring continuous manual manipulation, reducing the need for two-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is pre-formed with the appropriate curvature and flexibility before insertion, allowing it to automatically conform to the venous anatomy. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time manipulation during insertion, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If sequential steps with hand exchanges between ultrasonic probe and device are performed, then the catheter can be placed with imaging guidance, but the procedure complexity increases and success risk decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for repeated hand exchanges by removing components that require separate manipulation steps. The simplified single-device design allows the clinician to maintain grip on the insertion device throughout the procedure while keeping one hand on the ultrasonic probe, reducing procedural complexity and improving ease of operation.
4Reliability
If multiple components (needle, dilator, guidewire, sheath) are used in the Seldinger technique, then the catheter can be placed with controlled access, but the risk of contamination and air embolism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (needle, dilator, guidewire, sheath) into a single integrated catheter device. This merging reduces the number of component exchanges required during the procedure, minimizing opportunities for contamination and air embolism while maintaining reliable catheter placement through the unified design.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter insertion device (10) is provided for positioning and inserting a catheter (14), particularly a midline catheter into a patient. The insertion device (10) includes an introducer needle (18) that extends from the distal end of the catheter during insertion. A manually operated actuator assembly (20) is movable with respect to a housing for deploying the catheter (14) over the distal end of the introducer needle (18). A step-wise movement of the actuator (20) advances the catheter (14) in stages over the introducer needle (18). A shuttling or indexing mechanism (60, 76) advances the catheter and prevents retraction of the catheter once deployed.