Rapidly Insertable Central Catheters with Suture Wing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Seldinger technique for introducing central venous catheters is time-consuming and involves multiple steps and medical devices, leading to potential patient trauma and a high risk of touch contamination.

Innovation Solution

The development of rapidly insertable central catheters (RICCs) with a suture wing, hub, and extension legs, which reduce the number of steps and devices required, and feature a septum for fluid-tight sealing and polymeric materials with varying durometers for enhanced column strength and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the Seldinger technique is used to introduce central venous catheters, then the catheter can be successfully inserted into the patient's vasculature, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and involves multiple steps with multiple medical devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter insertion successVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device. The RICC assembly merges the catheter, hub, extension legs, and suture wing into one unified structure that can be inserted through a single puncture site, eliminating the need for separate needle, guidewire, and catheter insertion steps required by the Seldinger technique

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is divided into distinct functional sections: a distal section for insertion, a proximal section with the hub, and extension legs for external access. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall procedural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the Seldinger technique is used to introduce central venous catheters, then the catheter can be successfully inserted, but handling multiple medical devices becomes awkward and increases patient trauma

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter insertion successVSAvoiddevice handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter design includes self-retaining features such as the suture wing that automatically secures the catheter in place upon insertion, and extension legs that provide stable external positioning. These self-service mechanisms eliminate the need for complex manual manipulation and additional securing devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the Seldinger technique is used to introduce central venous catheters, then the catheter can be successfully inserted, but the risk of touch contamination increases due to multiple device interchanges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter insertion successVSAvoidtouch contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The design extracts the essential function of catheter insertion and secures it in a single pre-assembled unit, removing the intermediate devices (needle, guidewire, introducer sheath) that create contamination opportunities in the traditional multi-step process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If a single polymeric material is used for the catheter tube, then manufacturing is simplified, but the catheter lacks optimal column strength and flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter manufacturingVSAvoidcolumn strength and flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter tube is constructed from multiple polymeric materials with different properties. The distal section uses a harder material for structural integrity during insertion, while the proximal section uses a softer material for patient comfort and flexibility. This composite construction optimizes both mechanical performance and manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

5Ease of manufacture

If the catheter tube has uniform outer diameter throughout, then manufacturing is simpler, but the catheter cannot provide both insertion strength and external access flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter manufacturingVSAvoidcatheter functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the catheter have different outer diameters optimized for their specific functions. The distal section has a smaller diameter for easy insertion, while the proximal section with the hub has a larger diameter to accommodate multiple lumens and provide structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The RICC design significantly reduces the complexity and time required for catheter insertion, minimizes patient trauma, and lowers the risk of contamination by simplifying the procedure and enhancing the catheter's mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

The septum is configured to provide a fluid-tight seal for the needle through hole during a percutaneous puncture with the needle disposed in the primary lumen of the catheter tube. The septum is also configured to provide a fluid-tight seal for the needle through hole subsequent to withdrawal of the needle from the needle through hole after the percutaneous puncture.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid-tight sealing:

Implementation Method 2

The first section of the catheter tube is of a first polymeric material having a first durometer and the second section of the catheter tube is of at least a second polymeric material having a second durometer less than the first durometer.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDurometer variation for mechanical properties: Shore Durometer

Data Source

PatentUS20250065083A1Rapidly Insertable Central Catheters, Assemblies, and Methods Thereof

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 BARD ACCESS SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Rapidly insertable central catheters (“RICCs”), RICC assemblies, and methods thereof. A RICC can include a catheter tube, a suture wing disposed over a medial portion of the catheter tube, a hub coupled to a proximal portion of the catheter tube, and a number of extension legs extending from the hub. The catheter tube can include a first section in a distal portion of the catheter tube and a second section proximal of the first section. The suture wing can include a projection opposite a patient-facing side of the suture wing and a needle through hole through the projection. The needle through hole can be configured to accept a needle therethrough for insertion of the needle into a primary lumen of the catheter tube, which passes through a catheter-tube through hole through the suture wing.