Pressure-Activated Splittable Catheter Tip for Rapid Infusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vascular access devices face challenges with high backpressure and fluid acceleration during rapid infusion procedures, leading to potential system failure, patient discomfort, and infiltration due to the use of tapered catheter tips and lack of structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A vascular access device with a splittable feature, such as a line of perforation holes or skive lines, is integrated into the distal tapered portion of the catheter, which expands the effective area of the catheter tip under increased fluid pressure, reducing backpressure and fluid acceleration, and maintaining structural integrity during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a tapered catheter tip is used to accelerate fluid flow, then fluid delivery speed is improved, but backpressure increases and structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip is segmented into multiple struts that can move relative to each other. During rapid infusion, the struts separate to form a larger opening, reducing backpressure. During insertion, the struts remain together maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation allows the catheter to adapt its opening area based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tip transitions from a static tapered design to a dynamic structure where the struts can change their relative positions. The struts are connected by hinges or similar mechanisms that allow them to pivot and separate when fluid pressure exceeds a threshold, enabling the catheter to dynamically adjust its flow characteristics based on operating conditions.
2Speed
If a tapered catheter tip is used to accelerate fluid flow, then fluid delivery speed is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to pump limitations and seal failures
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the catheter tip into multiple movable struts, the system can increase its opening area during rapid infusion to reduce backpressure on the pump and connected components, thereby preventing seal failures and improving overall system reliability while maintaining high fluid delivery speed.
3Productivity
If fluid acceleration is increased in the catheter tip, then injection rate is improved, but harmful effects increase including recoil force and jet velocity
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the catheter tip into multiple struts that can separate creates multiple smaller fluid exit paths rather than a single accelerated jet. This distributes the fluid flow, reducing recoil force and jet velocity while maintaining the overall injection rate, thereby improving productivity without increasing harmful effects.
4Stress or pressure
If diffusion holes are added to the catheter tip to reduce backpressure, then fluid pressure is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates making the catheter susceptible to crushing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding static diffusion holes that compromise structural integrity, the invention uses dynamic struts that remain intact during insertion (maintaining strength) but can separate during rapid infusion (reducing fluid pressure). This dynamic behavior allows the catheter to achieve low backpressure without sacrificing structural integrity.
5Productivity
If the catheter tip opening area is increased to reduce backpressure, then fluid flow is improved, but structural integrity during insertion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tip uses movable struts that maintain a compact, structurally strong configuration during insertion but can expand to a larger opening area during rapid infusion when fluid pressure activates the separation mechanism. This dynamic transformation allows the catheter to optimize for structural integrity during insertion and fluid flow during operation.
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
The splittable feature allows for safer and more efficient rapid infusion by reducing backpressure and fluid acceleration, preventing system failure and patient discomfort, while maintaining catheter stability and preventing infiltration.
Implementation Method 1
A vascular access device with a splittable feature, such as a line of perforation holes or skive lines, is integrated into the distal tapered portion of the catheter, which expands the effective area of the catheter tip under increased fluid pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A catheter (114,214,314,414) having a catheter body (220,320,420) with a lumen (322,422) and. a distal lumen opening (242,342,442). The catheter's lumen extends through the catheter body along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. A splittable feature (250,350,450) is formed within a wall of the catheter body.