Catheter Needle Web Barrier for Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Injecting fluid medicaments into internal tissues, such as the myocardium, is challenging due to the lack of direct visualization of the injection site, leading to difficulties in controlling the depth of needle insertion and preventing catheter tip perforation, which can be fatal.
Innovation Solution
A catheter-based injection needle system with a web member that biases outward to limit needle insertion depth and prevent catheter tip perforation, using a web member that can be deployed to create a disk-shaped barrier at a predetermined distance from the needle tip, restricting insertion depth and preventing further penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a catheter-based injection needle is used to deliver fluid medicaments into internal tissues, then the ability to treat target tissues is improved, but the risk of uncontrolled needle insertion depth and catheter tip perforation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member is pre-positioned on the needle shaft at a predetermined distance from the tip before the injection procedure. This preliminary positioning establishes the maximum insertion depth limit in advance, preventing uncontrolled penetration when the needle is advanced into the target tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the needle and the target tissue. It provides a physical stop that mediates the insertion depth, preventing direct uncontrolled contact between the needle tip and deep tissue structures, thereby reducing perforation risk.
2Measurement precision
If indirect visualization techniques such as fluoroscopy are used to guide needle positioning, then the ability to locate target tissue is improved, but sufficient control over precise needle insertion depth is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member provides self-limiting functionality that does not require external control systems or complex visualization guidance for depth regulation. The mechanical barrier itself enforces the depth limit, making the system self-regulating and independent of complex imaging systems for depth control.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth control function is extracted from the complex fluoroscopy-guided control system and implemented as a simple mechanical barrier feature on the needle. This separates the depth limitation function from the visualization system, providing precise depth control through a simple structural element rather than complex system coordination.
3Ease of manufacture
If the needle is designed without depth limitation features, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the risk of tissue perforation and fatal complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member is constructed as a thin, flexible web structure that can be easily manufactured and attached to the needle shaft. This thin-film approach provides effective depth limitation without requiring complex rigid structures, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while preventing tissue perforation.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier member provides preliminary protective action by being pre-positioned on the needle to prevent the harmful effect of over-insertion before it can occur. This preventive measure counteracts the potential danger of tissue perforation through a simple structural feature rather than requiring complex safety systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system includes a positioning catheter for receiving an injection needle into its lumen. Structurally, the injection needle incorporates a plurality of loops that are mounted directly onto its shaft. As the injection needle is moved in a distal direction to exit from the lumen of the catheter, the loops are individually biased to transition from a folded configuration, and into a deployed configuration. In their deployed configurations, the loops create a barrier that is oriented perpendicular to the needle. Thus, the barrier acts to limit the depth of insertion of the needle into target tissue of a patient, to a predetermined depth, and to prevent perforation of the target tissue by the catheter tip.