Segmented Repositioning Sheath for Bleeding and Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing introducer sheaths used for vascular access in medical procedures can obstruct blood flow and cause bleeding due to their rigid structure, making it difficult to maintain a secure fit at the skin opening and vessel entry point.
Innovation Solution
A repositioning sheath with a flexible proximal portion and stiffer distal portion, designed to conform to the skin contour and maintain a secure fit, allowing for reduced bleeding and improved blood flow by creating a bend at the skin opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid introducer sheath is used for vascular access, then structural strength and support are improved, but blood flow obstruction and bleeding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into multiple segments with different stiffness characteristics: a proximal segment with lower stiffness for skin contact and blood flow, and a distal segment with higher stiffness for structural support. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sheath are assigned different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functional requirements. The proximal portion has lower stiffness to minimize interference with blood flow and adapt to skin contours, while the distal portion has higher stiffness to provide necessary structural support for device delivery.
2Strength
If a rigid introducer sheath is used, then device delivery support is improved, but secure fit at skin opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is segmented into a flexible proximal portion for secure skin opening fit and a rigid distal portion for device delivery support. This allows the sheath to maintain secure positioning at the access site while providing adequate support for delivering medical devices into the vasculature.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal portion of the sheath is designed with lower stiffness to conform to skin contours and maintain a secure seal at the opening, while the distal portion has higher stiffness to provide the structural support needed for device delivery. Each portion's local properties are optimized for its specific function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a uniformly stiff sheath is used, then structural integrity is improved, but adaptability to skin contour deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is segmented into portions with different stiffness values to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and skin contour adaptability. The proximal segment with lower stiffness adapts to the skin surface, while the distal segment with higher stiffness maintains overall structural integrity for safe device delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the sheath are assigned different stiffness properties matching their functional requirements. The proximal segment has lower stiffness for conforming to skin contours, while the distal segment has higher stiffness for maintaining structural integrity during device delivery through the vasculature.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical circulatory support system may include a blood pump, an elongate shaft, a first sheath, and a second sheath. The elongate shaft may be coupled with the blood pump and extend proximally from the blood pump. The first sheath may extend over the elongate shaft and include a lumen with an inner diameter. The second sheath may extend over the elongate shaft and include an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the lumen of the first sheath. The first sheath and the second sheath are configured to longitudinally adjust over the elongate shaft and one or both of the first sheath and the second sheath may include a flexible portion configured to extend through a vascular access site when a more rigid distal portion is in of the sheath is in a blood vessel.