Quadruple-lumen catheter prevents recirculation via partitioned lumens
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Solution Overview
Problem
The quadruple-lumen catheter faces issues with recirculation of blood and drug solutions due to sticking of the blood vessel wall to the catheter lumens, particularly when using the blood return lumen for blood removal, leading to reduced blood flow rates and potential damage to the vessel.
Innovation Solution
A quadruple-lumen catheter design with a cylindrical body divided into regions by a longitudinal partition, where the first and second lumens have larger cross-sectional areas and distinct opening planes, and the third and fourth lumens are smaller with specific orientations, preventing recirculation and facilitating insertion while minimizing vessel damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the blood return lumen is used for blood removal to resolve sticking of the blood vessel wall, then the sticking problem is solved, but recirculation of blood occurs leading to reduced blood flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple lumens (first lumen for blood removal, second lumen for blood return, third and fourth lumens for infusion) with distinct opening planes. This segmentation allows independent operation of each lumen, enabling blood removal through the first lumen while preventing recirculation through the partition wall that separates the lumens.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second opening planes are positioned at different distances from the distal end, creating an asymmetric configuration. The first opening plane is closer to the distal end than the second opening plane, which prevents recirculation by ensuring that blood flowing through the first lumen does not return through the second lumen, thereby maintaining effective blood flow rate.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If reverse connection is performed to solve sticking of the blood vessel wall, then the sticking problem is resolved, but recirculation occurs causing blood removal failure
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs separate lumens with distinct functions - the first lumen is optimized for blood removal while the second lumen is optimized for blood return. The partition wall between these lumens prevents cross-contamination and recirculation, ensuring that reverse connection can be performed safely without causing blood removal failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure that separates the first and second lumens. This partition prevents blood from the first lumen from entering the second lumen during reverse connection, thereby preventing recirculation and ensuring reliable blood removal while still allowing the catheter to address vessel wall sticking issues.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the catheter has a narrow diameter to reduce vessel damage, then vessel damage is minimized, but insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter features a tapered configuration where the distal end has a smaller diameter than the proximal end. This local variation in diameter allows the catheter to be inserted easily into the blood vessel while maintaining a narrow profile throughout to minimize vessel damage. The partition wall and lumens are arranged to accommodate this tapered geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter transitions from a wider proximal end to a narrower distal end, utilizing dimensional change along the longitudinal axis. This tapering approach allows the catheter to navigate the blood vessel entrance easily while maintaining a small cross-sectional area at the tip to reduce mechanical damage to the vessel wall during insertion and use.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a quadruple-lumen catheter, an inner space of a body 101 is divided into a first region 117 and a second region 118 by a partition 115. The first region 117 is divided into a first lumen 111 and a third lumen 113, and the second region 118 is divided into a second lumen 112 and a fourth lumen 114. The third lumen 113 and the fourth lumen 114 face each other with the partition 115 interposed therebetween, and the partition 115 has a width gradually narrowed toward the third lumen 113 and the fourth lumen 114 between a second opening plane 122 and the distal end of the body 101.