Multi-Diameter Catheter With Inner Sliding Segment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current over-the-needle peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) face issues such as vein narrowing, collapse, or clogging, leading to inefficiencies in fluid infusion and blood draw, particularly in patients with difficult intravenous access, resulting in repeated needle sticks and unusable blood samples.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device and method for placing a first catheter within a second catheter or vein, which includes a housing with a slot for advancing and retracting the first catheter, featuring varying inner and outer diameters and transition portions to facilitate blood flow and reduce the need for frequent catheter replacements, along with a guidewire for supporting the catheter during placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a PIVC is used for fluid infusion or blood draw, then the procedure can be performed, but the catheter may narrow, collapse, or clog with time leading to failure
Solution Approach 1:
A inner catheter is nested within an outer catheter system. The inner catheter can be advanced through the outer catheter to replace the distal portion that has become clogged or collapsed, while the proximal portion of the outer catheter remains in place. This allows extension of the overall system lifespan without complete replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system is divided into multiple segments: an outer catheter and an inner catheter. The inner catheter can be independently advanced to replace only the problematic distal segment, while the proximal segment of the outer catheter continues to function. This segmentation allows partial replacement rather than complete replacement.
2Quantity of substance
If a PIVC is used for blood extraction, then blood samples can be obtained, but the samples often need to be discarded due to quality concerns
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is incorporated into the catheter system that preliminarily filters blood before it enters the collection container. This preliminary filtration action prevents contaminants from reaching the sample, ensuring quality without requiring additional time for post-collection processing or repeat draws.
3Ease of operation
If a PIVC is used in patients with difficult intravenous access, then the procedure can be attempted, but the process becomes slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inner catheter is designed to be dynamically advanceable through the outer catheter. This dynamic configuration allows the operator to adjust the inner catheter position to navigate difficult vasculature, then lock it in place for efficient blood draw. The system transitions from a static single-catheter design to a dynamic multi-component system.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery device for delivering an catheter into an intravenous catheter assembly may include a housing having a distal end, a proximal end, and a slot. The delivery device may include a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. The delivery device may include a catheter hub disposed within the housing. The catheter may be secured to the catheter hub. A portion of the catheter hub may extend through the slot and may be moveable along the slot to advance the catheter in a distal direction. The distal end of the catheter may be disposed distal to the distal end of the housing when the catheter is advanced.