Percutaneous Feeding Catheter with Stretchable Tube and Length Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheters for percutaneous feeding require precise adjustment of the distance between the outer and inner members to avoid tissue irritation or leakage, necessitating expertise and regular leak-tightness checks, which can be difficult for patients.
Innovation Solution
A catheter with a stretchable section between the outer and inner members, limited by a retaining structure defining a maximum length, allowing intuitive placement and adjustment without risking tissue damage or leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the distance between outer member and inner member is adjusted precisely to avoid tissue irritation, then tissue comfort is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring professional expertise for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tube incorporates a stretchable section that can dynamically adjust its length within a defined range, allowing the tube to adapt to variations in patient anatomy without requiring precise manual adjustment by the operator. The retaining structure provides a maximum length limit while the stretchable section enables flexible accommodation of different tissue depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter design changes the physical parameter of the tube length from a fixed value to a variable parameter within a controlled range. The stretchable section allows the tube length to vary between a minimum (when not stretched) and maximum (when stretched to the retaining structure limit) value, automatically adapting to different patient requirements without operator intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the tube length is increased to accommodate patient movements, then comfort is improved, but the risk of leakage at the stoma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stretchable section provides dynamic length adjustment capability, allowing the tube to extend when needed for patient movement comfort while retracting to maintain secure sealing at the stoma. The retaining structure ensures the tube does not extend beyond a safe maximum length that would compromise the seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter tube is divided into distinct functional segments: a non-stretchable section that maintains the seal at the stoma, a stretchable section that accommodates movement, and a retaining structure that limits the stretchable portion. This segmentation allows different parts of the tube to perform different functions simultaneously.
3Reliability
If the tube is made rigid to maintain secure fixation, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to patient movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter tube is segmented into a rigid non-stretchable section that provides secure fixation at the stoma and a stretchable section that adapts to patient movements. The retaining structure defines the boundary between these functional zones, ensuring the rigid portion maintains sealing while the stretchable portion accommodates motion.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the catheter tube have different mechanical properties: the non-stretchable section has high rigidity for secure fixation, while the stretchable section has low rigidity for movement accommodation. This local differentiation of material or structural properties allows each zone to optimize its function.
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
Enables easy and comfortable placement of the catheter, accommodating patient movements while preventing excessive elongation and ensuring secure fixation without tissue irritation or leakage.
Implementation Method 1
the tube comprises a stretchable section that can be arranged to be (or is arranged) between the outer member and the inner member, the stretchable section being stretchable in length
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A catheter (1) for percutaneous feeding comprises a tube (10) for extending through a stoma (S) of a patient (P); an outer member (11) fixed or fixable on the tube (10) to rest against the patient's (P) skin (A); and an inner member (12) fixed or fixable on the tube (10) to rest against an internal patient's (P) lumen wall (G). It is provided that the tube (10) comprises a stretchable section (100A-100D) arrangeable between the outer member (11) and the inner member (12) being stretchable in length, wherein a retaining structure (13A-13D) is provided limiting the length of the stretchable section (100A-100D).