Indwelling Nerve Block Catheter with Tissue Lock and Decoupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nerve block catheter systems face challenges in accurate placement and maintenance of the catheter tip near the target nerve, leading to failed nerve blocks and complications such as medication backflow and infection, due to the complexity of separate introducer-needle and catheter systems.
Innovation Solution
A combined system where the introducer-needle and catheter are integrated, with a tissue lock mechanism to secure the catheter tip in proximity to the nerve and a decoupler to prevent tissue movement, ensuring accurate drug delivery and easy catheter placement and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate introducer-needle and catheter system is used, then nerve location can be identified, but the catheter tip cannot be accurately controlled to stay near the nerve after insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the introducer needle and catheter into a single integrated system where the catheter is pre-attached to the needle. This integration ensures that when the needle is positioned at the target nerve, the catheter tip is already in the correct position, eliminating the uncertainty of separate insertion and ensuring accurate drug delivery while simplifying the overall procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter is nested within or attached to the introducer needle, allowing the catheter to be guided through the needle to the target site. This nesting arrangement ensures the catheter follows the exact path of the needle, maintaining precise positioning at the nerve location without requiring separate positioning steps.
2Ease of operation
If the introducer-needle diameter is significantly larger than the catheter, then catheter insertion is facilitated, but medication backflow to the skin surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is pre-positioned and secured to the needle before medication infusion begins. The tissue lock mechanism is engaged in advance to prevent backflow, ensuring that when medication is delivered, it flows only in the intended direction toward the nerve and not backward toward the skin surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue lock acts as an intermediary mechanism between the catheter and surrounding tissue, creating a secure anchor point that prevents medication from flowing backward. This intermediate structure blocks the backflow path while maintaining the size difference between needle and catheter for easy insertion.
3Ease of operation
If the catheter is flexible to navigate tissue, then insertion is easier, but the catheter tip cannot maintain stable position near the nerve
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter has different properties at different locations: the proximal portion is flexible to allow easy navigation through tissue during insertion, while the distal portion near the tip is more rigid or equipped with a tissue lock mechanism to maintain stable positioning at the target nerve site. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between flexibility for insertion and stability for drug delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A nerve block catheter system employs an indwelling, flexible catheter comprising a tissue lock to retain the catheter tip in pharmacologically proximity to a target nerve and optionally, a decoupler that insulates the tip of the catheter from proximal tissue movement.