Split-tip Catheter Tip Segments for Occlusion Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hemodialysis catheters with staggered tip designs often experience occlusion due to fibrin sheath formation and positional issues, leading to inefficient blood flow and increased recirculation, which can prolong treatment times and reduce dialysis effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A split-tip catheter design featuring movable, opposed tip segments that can switch between straight and curved configurations, with side openings facing each other in the curved position, reducing the likelihood of occlusion and recirculation by maintaining effective fluid flow and providing redundancy in case of occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a staggered tip design is used to increase the likelihood that returned blood is expelled downstream, then flow efficiency is improved, but occlusion occurs due to fibrin sheath formation and positional issues
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip is divided into multiple segments (first tip segment, second tip segment, third tip segment) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each segment to be positioned optimally to prevent occlusion while maintaining flow efficiency, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip segments are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of their positions. The segments can change configuration in response to flow conditions and positioning, enabling the catheter to maintain both high flow efficiency and resistance to occlusion under varying operational conditions.
2Reliability
If blood lines are reversed to resolve occlusion, then flow is reestablished, but cleaned blood is expelled upstream causing recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The tip segments are designed with asymmetric positioning and orientation, where the first and second tip segments can be positioned at different locations and angles. This asymmetry ensures that when segments are moved to clear occlusion, the geometric arrangement prevents cleaned blood from being expelled upstream into the intake path, thereby maintaining dialysis efficiency while restoring flow.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tip segments are positioned close to vessel wall to maintain stability, then positional occlusion increases, but moving segments away reduces stability
Solution Approach 1:
The movable tip segments provide dynamic stability rather than static positioning. The segments can actively adjust their positions to maintain optimal spacing from the vessel wall, preventing positional occlusion while maintaining catheter stability through active repositioning rather than fixed placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter includes an elongate shaft having proximal and distal end portions defining a longitudinal axis, and first and second tip segments. The elongate shaft and the first and second tip segments define respective first and second lumens. Each tip segment includes a proximal portion fixed relative to the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a distal portion. Each tip segment defines a side opening in fluid communication with a respective one of the first and second lumens. Each tip segment is movable between a straight configuration in which each respective tip segment is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved configuration in which each tip segment has a concave portion with respect to the longitudinal axis. The side openings face each other along the concave portions.