One-Handed Pigtail Locking Hub for Drainage Catheters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drainage catheters require two-handed operation for locking the pigtail, which can be cumbersome and inefficient during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A drainage catheter with a locking hub assembly that includes a connecting member and an actuation member, where a tensioning suture extends through the tubular body and is connected to the flexible distal portion, allowing for one-handed operation by moving the actuation and connecting members to draw the suture ends proximally, tightening the pigtail configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional suture locking mechanisms are used, then secure pigtail locking is achieved, but two-handed operation is required increasing procedure complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation member integrates multiple functions: it serves as both the pulling element to tighten the suture and the locking element to secure the pigtail. By combining these functions into a single integrated component, the device eliminates the need for separate manipulation of suture and locking mechanisms, thereby enabling one-handed operation while maintaining secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation member is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both tensioning and locking operations. This universal component replaces the need for separate suture manipulation and locking actions, allowing a single hand to perform both functions sequentially or simultaneously, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
2Productivity
If traditional two-handed locking procedure is used, then secure catheter placement is achieved, but procedure time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation member is pre-configured with the suture attachment and locking mechanism integrated. Before the locking procedure begins, the device is prepared in such a way that a single pulling motion on the actuation member simultaneously performs both the tightening and locking actions, eliminating the need for sequential two-handed operations and reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation member is designed to perform the locking action autonomously through a single user input. When the user pulls the actuation member, the integrated mechanism automatically tightens the suture and secures the pigtail without requiring additional manual intervention or coordination between hands, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss.
3Ease of operation
If simple suture pulling is used, then operation is simplified, but secure one-handed locking cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation member merges the simple pulling action with the secure locking function. The single pulling motion on the actuation member simultaneously tightens the suture and engages the locking mechanism, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable pigtail security through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation member serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's simple pulling action and the complex locking requirement. It translates the simple pull into coordinated movements that tighten the suture and engage the locking feature, thereby achieving reliable locking through an easy-to-operate interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A drainage catheter includes an elongated tubular body that includes a flexible distal portion and a proximal portion. A locking hub assembly includes a connecting member and an actuation member that is movably connected to the connecting member such that one or both of the actuation member and the connecting member move relative to the other of the actuation member and the connecting member. A tensioning suture extends through a drainage lumen of the tubular body and is connected to the flexible distal portion. Opposite ends of the tensioning suture are connected to the actuation member such that movement of the one or both of the actuation member and the connecting member toward the other of the actuation member and the connecting member from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration draws the opposite ends proximally relative to the flexible distal portion thereby causing the flexible distal end to move from a loosely curled configuration to a tightly curled configuration.