Multi-Catheter Stack Fluidics With Integrated Valve Manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid management and catheter exchange systems in medical procedures are prone to air bubble introduction, errors in fluid selection, and connection issues due to frequent disconnection and reconnection of tubing, leading to inefficiencies and risks during fluid delivery.
Innovation Solution
A fluidics management system with an elongate tubular body, valve manifold, and electronically controlled valves for selective port communication, integrated with a hemostasis valve for adjustable sealing force, enabling precise control over fluid delivery and catheter connections, suitable for manual or robotically driven interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tubing disconnection and reconnection is used during catheter exchange, then catheter flexibility and ease of replacement are improved, but air bubble introduction and connection errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the catheter hub with a valve manifold to create an integrated fluid management system. The manifold integrates multiple fluid sources (saline, contrast, vacuum) and control valves into a single unified structure that remains connected throughout the procedure, eliminating the need to disconnect and reconnect tubing during catheter exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-connecting all fluid sources and control mechanisms to the catheter hub before the procedure begins. The valve manifold is pre-configured with all necessary fluid pathways and control valves, so that during catheter exchange, only the catheter itself needs to be changed while the fluid management infrastructure remains intact and ready for immediate use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid sources are connected to a single luer port, then fluid delivery flexibility is improved, but fluid selection errors and connection mistakes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system by providing separate dedicated ports for each fluid source (saline port, contrast port, vacuum port) on the valve manifold. Each port is associated with specific control valves, creating distinct fluid pathways that eliminate confusion about which fluid is connected to which port, while still allowing flexible selection of different fluids as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve manifold acts as an intermediary between multiple fluid sources and the catheter. Instead of directly connecting multiple fluids to a single luer port, the manifold provides a structured interface with dedicated ports and electronic valve control, mediating fluid selection and delivery to prevent errors while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent tubing connections and disconnections are performed, then catheter exchange capability is improved, but air bubble introduction and procedural errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the catheter hub with a valve manifold to create an integrated fluid management system. The manifold integrates multiple fluid sources (saline, contrast, vacuum) and control valves into a single unified structure that remains connected throughout the procedure, eliminating the need to disconnect and reconnect tubing during catheter exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous connection of all fluid management components throughout the procedure. The valve manifold remains permanently connected to the catheter hub, and all fluid pathways remain open and controlled, eliminating the intermittent disconnections and reconnections that would otherwise occur during catheter exchanges and potentially introduce air bubbles.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidics system includes a cassette having a saline subsystem, a contrast subsystem, and a vacuum subsystem. The fluidics system further includes a splitter and a first tubing set coupled to the cassette and splitter, the first tubing set having a single saline channel, a single contrast channel, and a single vacuum channel. The fluidics system further includes two or more hub assemblies, at least one of the two or more hub assemblies configured to have a third saline flow-path, a third contrast flow-path, and a third vacuum flow-path to provide saline, contrast and vacuum to the lumen of a catheter coupled to the at least one of the two or more hub assemblies. The fluidics system further includes a second tubing set having a plurality of tube groups, each tube group coupled to the splitter and to one of the two or more hub assemblies.