Introducer Sheath Locking Mechanism for Side Tube Tangling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Introducer sheaths face the challenge of side tubes becoming tangled around the sheath hub and other parts when rotated, restricting flow and requiring manual unwinding, which can lead to kinking and flow restrictions.
Innovation Solution
An introducer sheath design featuring a rotating element with a lock mechanism that allows independent rotation of the sheath tube with respect to the sheath hub, preventing tangling and enabling secure locking to prevent unintended rotation during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the introducer sheath is rotated to facilitate advancement through the skin and into the vessel, then the curved tip can be directed in a desired direction, but the side tube becomes wrapped around the sheath hub and other parts of the introducer sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer sheath is divided into separate functional components: a sheath hub with side port, a rotating element with side tube, and a lock mechanism. This segmentation allows the side tube to be isolated on its own rotating element, preventing it from wrapping around the sheath hub while maintaining independent rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A lock mechanism serves as an intermediary between the rotating element and the sheath hub. The lock can engage with the sheath hub to prevent rotation during use, while allowing controlled rotation during advancement. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing both rotation capability and prevention of harmful wrapping.
2Ease of operation
If the side tube is manually unwound from the sheath hub, then the wrapping can be removed, but the side tube may become kinked and restrict flow
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the side tube onto its own rotating element, the design eliminates the need for manual unwinding operations. The side tube remains on its dedicated element throughout, preventing kinking and maintaining reliable flow without requiring user intervention to manage wrapping.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheath tube is allowed to rotate freely with respect to the sheath hub, then the curved tip can be positioned, but the tube may inadvertently rotate during use
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism provides dynamic control over the rotation state. During advancement, the lock can be disengaged to allow rotation for positioning. During use, the lock engages to stabilize the tube position. This dynamic system resolves the contradiction by allowing both positioning flexibility and operational stability as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Introducer sheaths are described. In one embodiment, an introducer sheath comprises a sheath hub, a fixed housing coupled to the sheath hub, a rotating element rotatably coupled to the fixed housing, a sheath tube fixedly coupled to the rotating element, and a lock coupled to the rotating element. The lock is capable of preventing the rotating element and the sheath tube from rotating with respect to the sheath hub.