Retractable Drain Catheter for Multi-Location Fluid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage catheters face challenges such as frequent blockage due to fluid debris and tissue ingrowth, difficulty in insertion through small incisions or narrow tracts, and inability to provide simultaneous drainage or irrigation in multiple locations without requiring multiple catheters.
Innovation Solution
A drainage catheter with retractable internal drains, featuring a primary catheter with multiple lumens and selectively deployable drains that extend radially outward through drain ports, allowing for expanded drainage and irrigation areas and multiple fluid flow paths while minimizing blockage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate drainage catheters are used to drain multiple cavities or areas simultaneously, then drainage coverage is improved, but device complexity and number of procedures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drainage functions into a single catheter device. The primary catheter integrates multiple lumens (first lumen for drainage, second lumen for irrigation) and multiple drain ports that can be selectively deployed to drain multiple cavities or areas simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate catheters
Solution Approach 2:
The single catheter device performs multiple functions: it can drain multiple cavities through different drain ports, provide irrigation through the second lumen, and selectively deploy drains to different locations. This multi-functional design allows one catheter to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate catheters
2Adaptability or versatility
If a wider incision is used to insert multiple catheters, then drainage capability is improved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple drainage functions into a single catheter, the invention allows all drainage capabilities to be accessed through one small incision site, eliminating the need for multiple incisions or a large incision to accommodate multiple catheters
3Reliability
If catheter pores or drainage lumens are made larger to prevent blockage, then drainage reliability is improved, but tissue ingrowth and debris accumulation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is segmented into multiple separate drain ports that can be selectively deployed. Each drain port can be individually positioned and controlled, allowing the system to maintain adequate drainage aperture size while distributing the drainage function across multiple separated openings rather than relying on a single large pore
Solution Approach 2:
The drain ports are selectively deployable rather than permanently open. This dynamic capability allows the drain ports to be deployed only when needed and retracted when not in use, minimizing the time that large openings are exposed to tissue ingrowth and debris accumulation while maintaining drainage reliability when activated
4Device complexity
If a single catheter is used for both drainage and irrigation, then device simplicity is improved, but fluid flow control and drainage efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into separate functional lumens: a first lumen dedicated to drainage and a second lumen dedicated to irrigation. This segmentation of fluid pathways allows independent control of drainage and irrigation flows, preventing interference between the two functions while maintaining efficient fluid management
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the catheter have specialized functions optimized for their specific purpose. The first lumen is optimized for drainage with appropriate aperture sizes and configurations, while the second lumen is optimized for irrigation delivery. This local specialization ensures both functions operate at peak efficiency despite being integrated in a single catheter device
Data Source
AI summary
A drainage catheter with retractable internal drains for fluid drainage and irrigation includes a primary catheter for insertion within a subject, a lumen within the primary catheter for conducting fluid flow between a source of fluid drainage or irrigation and the subject, and a plurality of selectively retractable and deployable drains in fluid communication with the lumen. Retraction and deployment of the drains within a subject is accomplished remotely via a specially shaped stylet and common drain connector within the primary catheter. The plurality of drains are enclosed within the primary catheter in the retracted state and extend radially outwardly from the primary catheter in the deployed state. In the retracted state, insertion and location of the primary catheter in a subject are facilitated. In the deployed state, expanded and improved drainage and irrigation area and a plurality of fluid flow paths and locations are provided.