Segmented Housing for Extended Dwell Catheter Kinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IV catheter systems face challenges in providing easy and efficient one-handed operation for actuation, particularly for patients with difficult intravenous access, where extended dwell catheters are necessary to facilitate venipuncture and ensure proper placement without kinking.
Innovation Solution
The extended dwell catheter assembly features a housing that separates into two frames, allowing the catheter assembly to be easily activated and separated from the housing, with a needle guard for safety and a guidewire for assistance, enabling one-handed operation and reducing the risk of kinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the housing is designed as a single integrated structure, then structural strength and simplicity are improved, but ease of operation and catheter separation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate frames (first frame and second frame) that can be separated from each other. This segmentation allows the catheter assembly to be easily released and separated from the housing after venipuncture, while each frame maintains sufficient structural strength during use.
2Reliability
If the catheter assembly is tightly secured in the housing, then reliability during venipuncture is improved, but ease of one-handed operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly is pre-positioned and secured in the housing at the correct orientation and depth before use. The housing structure includes pre-configured elements that guide and stabilize the catheter during insertion, ensuring reliable venipuncture while allowing simple one-handed activation to release and separate the components afterward.
3Strength
If the housing uses complex fastening mechanisms, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into two frames connected by simple joining structures rather than complex fastening mechanisms. This segmentation provides sufficient structural integrity while maintaining simplicity, allowing easy separation into first and second housing components without requiring complicated assembly or disassembly procedures.
4Length of moving object
If the catheter is made longer for extended dwell, then difficulty of venipuncture access is improved, but risk of kinking is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
A guidewire is introduced as an intermediary element that extends through the extended dwell catheter. The guidewire provides internal support and structural reinforcement, preventing the long catheter from kinking or collapsing during insertion and dwell, while still allowing the catheter to reach difficult venipuncture sites.
Data Source
AI summary
Extended dwell catheter assemblies each with a housing having an interior having a catheter assembly located therein, which can include a catheter tube and a needle. The catheter tube of the catheter assembly can be placed into a vein of a patient, with or without a guidewire, and then the extended dwell catheter assembly can be activated to separate into two or more housing components or by opening a gate to enable separation of the catheter assembly from the housing. A needle guard can be included to cover the needle tip of the needle from unintended needlesticks.