Sacrificial Catheter Stylet Removal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter placement methods face challenges in achieving precise and broad-range placement of functional catheters within the body, particularly in the vasculature, as they often struggle with navigating complex anatomical scenarios and ensuring accurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A sacrificial catheter assembly comprising a sacrificial catheter with a preloaded stylet that facilitates stylet-assisted placement by allowing the sacrificial catheter to be slid over the stylet for removal while the stylet remains in place, enabling broader catheter placement scenarios and utilizing ECG-based guidance with electrodes for precise targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a functional catheter is placed directly into the body without a sacrificial catheter, then the placement process is simpler, but the ability to navigate complex anatomical scenarios and achieve precise positioning is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a sacrificial catheter for navigation and delivery, a stylet for support and positioning, and a functional catheter for the final application. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve complex placement scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial catheter acts as an intermediary device that facilitates the delivery and positioning of the functional catheter. It provides a delivery mechanism and initial support, then is removed after serving its purpose, leaving the functional catheter in place
2Measurement precision
If a stylet is used to assist catheter placement, then positioning accuracy improves, but the risk of stylet displacement during catheter removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is nested within the sacrificial catheter during delivery, and the functional catheter is nested over the stylet during placement. This nested configuration ensures proper positioning while allowing clean separation at appropriate stages without displacing the stylet
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial catheter is pre-loaded with the stylet before patient insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures the stylet is already in the correct position and orientation, reducing the risk of displacement during subsequent manipulation
3Ease of operation
If the sacrificial catheter is made more flexible for easier navigation, then the ability to navigate complex vasculature improves, but the ability to maintain stylet positioning during removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial catheter has varying properties along its length, with the distal portion being more flexible for navigation while the proximal portion maintains sufficient rigidity to control the stylet during removal. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and control
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
This solution allows for more versatile and accurate placement of functional catheters under a broader range of scenarios, ensuring precise positioning and ease of removal of the sacrificial catheter without displacing the stylet, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of catheter placement procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the stylet can include electrodes to enable the sacrificial catheter assembly to cooperate with an ECG monitoring system to advance the sacrificial catheter and stylet to the target destination via ECG-based guidance
Data Source
AI summary
A sacrificial catheter assembly and method of use for placing a functional catheter within the body of a patient, such as into the patient's vasculature, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sacrificial catheter assembly comprises a sacrificial catheter including an elongate body that defines a longitudinally extending lumen. A stylet is removably received within the lumen of the sacrificial catheter such that the catheter and stylet can be advanced together to a target destination within the body of the patient. The sacrificial catheter is configured so as to then be proximally slid over the stylet to remove the sacrificial catheter from the body while the stylet remains in place at the target destination. A functional catheter can then be distally slid over the stylet to place the functional catheter at the target destination. The stylet can then be removed from the body of the patient.