Split-Tip Catheter with Nested Segments for Vascular Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional catheters face challenges in navigating tortuous vascular paths and avoiding obstacles during placement, leading to potential snagging or recirculation of treated blood during hemodialysis, which reduces treatment efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A split-tip catheter design featuring separate venous and arterial segments that nest together, allowing for a smooth columnar profile during insertion and separation within the vasculature, with lateral openings to minimize recirculation and enhance fluid flow, and a guidewire to maintain the nested configuration during placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional catheters are used, then the structure is simple, but the catheter cannot navigate tortuous vascular paths effectively and may snag on obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into separate venous and arterial segments that can move independently. The venous segment includes a flexible body with a nose portion, while the arterial segment is a separate component that nests within the venous segment during insertion but can separate afterward. This segmentation allows each segment to conform to tortuous vascular paths independently, improving navigation capability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The arterial segment is designed to nest within the venous segment during catheter insertion, creating a compact profile that facilitates passage through tortuous vascular paths and past obstacles. The arterial segment includes a guidewire channel that receives a guidewire, and when nested, the combined structure maintains a smooth outer contour. After placement, the segments can separate to allow independent movement and reduce recirculation.
2Productivity
If the catheter segments are separate, then recirculation is reduced, but the catheter may not advance as a unified structure through tortuous paths
Solution Approach 1:
The arterial segment nests within the venous segment during insertion, creating a unified columnar structure that advances smoothly through tortuous vascular paths and past obstacles. The nested configuration presents a smooth outer contour that reduces snagging. After the catheter is positioned, the segments can separate to allow independent blood flow paths, reducing recirculation and improving treatment efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A guidewire serves as an intermediary element that passes through both the venous and arterial segments. The guidewire maintains the nested configuration of the segments during insertion and advancement through the vasculature. After placement, the guidewire can be removed, allowing the segments to separate while maintaining proper positioning. This intermediary enables unified advancement while permitting subsequent separation for improved hemodialysis efficiency.
3Productivity
If lateral openings are added to the segments, then fluid flow is improved and recirculation is reduced, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Lateral openings are strategically positioned in the venous and arterial segments to optimize fluid flow while maintaining structural integrity. The openings are located at specific positions along the segments rather than uniformly distributed, allowing blood to enter and exit at optimal locations. The openings are sized and shaped to provide adequate flow while preserving the strength of the segment walls. This local optimization of opening placement and dimensions improves hemodialysis efficiency without compromising the structural integrity needed for navigation through tortuous paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A subcutaneous tunneling device includes a shaft having a bend, a catheter connector extending from a distal end of the shaft distal of the bend, and a sleeve. The catheter connector can include a body having a gripping portion, and a barbed extension distal of the body configured for insertion into a distal opening of a catheter. The sleeve is slidably mounted on the shaft and has a retracted position exposing the catheter connector for coupling the catheter to the catheter connector via the barbed extension, and an extended position covering the catheter connector and a distal end of the catheter.