Resilient Internal-Wall Catheter Assembly for Feeding Lumen Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trans-esophageal catheters for measuring diaphragm electrical activity face challenges in managing the cross-sectional area of the wire lumen, which compromises the feeding lumen, particularly in smaller catheters used for premature and newborn babies, limiting effective food and medication delivery.
Innovation Solution
A catheter design with resilient internal walls that move between rest and deflected states, allowing the wire lumen to temporarily increase in size during assembly while maintaining the feeding lumen's cross-sectional area during use, achieved through a movable internal wall that curves into the wire lumen to accommodate wire insertion and returns to its original position post-assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wire lumen cross-sectional area is increased to accommodate wire pull-through, then wire insertion is facilitated, but the feeding lumen cross-sectional area is reduced, compromising food and medication delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The internal wall is designed to be movable between a rest state and a deflected state. During wire insertion, the internal wall deflects to increase the wire lumen cross-sectional area. During normal use, the internal wall returns to its rest state to maintain the feeding lumen cross-sectional area. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the lumen configuration changeable based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area of the wire lumen is changed by deflecting the internal wall. The internal wall's position is altered from a rest state to a deflected state, which changes the lumen geometry. This parameter change allows the wire lumen to expand during assembly and then return to its original configuration during use, preventing permanent reduction of the feeding lumen area.
2Ease of manufacture
If the wire lumen cross-sectional area is increased to facilitate wire bundle pull-through, then assembly is simplified, but the feeding lumen size is compromised in smaller catheters
Solution Approach 1:
The internal wall is designed to be movable between a rest state and a deflected state. During wire insertion, the internal wall deflects to increase the wire lumen cross-sectional area. During normal use, the internal wall returns to its rest state to maintain the feeding lumen cross-sectional area. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the lumen configuration changeable based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal wall is pre-configured in a rest state that maintains optimal feeding lumen size. During assembly, the internal wall is temporarily deflected to accommodate wire insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that the feeding lumen is ready for its intended function once assembly is complete, avoiding permanent compromise of its size.
3Ease of operation
If a larger wire lumen cross-sectional area is used, then wire bundle insertion is easier, but the overall catheter size must be increased or feeding lumen functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The internal wall is designed to be movable between a rest state and a deflected state. During wire insertion, the internal wall deflects to increase the wire lumen cross-sectional area. During normal use, the internal wall returns to its rest state to maintain the feeding lumen cross-sectional area. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the lumen configuration changeable based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal wall is pre-configured in a rest state that maintains optimal feeding lumen size. During assembly, the internal wall is temporarily deflected to accommodate wire insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that the feeding lumen is ready for its intended function once assembly is complete, avoiding permanent compromise of its size.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient insertion and pull-through of wires without compromising the feeding lumen's size, enabling effective food and medication delivery in smaller catheters.
Implementation Method 1
an internal wall separating the first lumen and the second lumen, the internal wall being resilient and moveable between: a rest state; and a deflected state
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter comprising: an elongate body having: a first lumen defined in, and extending along, the elongate body, the first lumen having a first lumen cross-sectional area; a second lumen defined in, and extending along, the elongate body, the second lumen having a second cross-sectional area; and an internal wall separating the first lumen and the second lumen, the internal wall being resilient and is moveable between: a rest state; and a deflected state, in which the first lumen cross-sectional area is increased, and the second lumen cross-sectional area is decreased. In the rest state, the internal wall is curved towards the first lumen and away from the second lumen, and in the deflected state, the internal wall is curved towards the second lumen and away from the first lumen. A method of assembling the catheter.