Support Tube Guided Catheter Advancement to Prevent Kinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood draw devices experience kinking and deformation of catheters during advancement due to bending and column loads, particularly when the catheter reaches curved regions of the vascular access device, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A blood draw device with a support tube made of a kink-resistant material, such as Nitinol, that moves coaxially with the catheter to prevent kinking, combined with advancement members that ensure the catheter is guided smoothly through the vascular access device, and includes sensors for operational data acquisition and alerts for occlusions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a catheter is advanced into a curved region of the PIVC during blood draw, then the catheter can reach the vascular system, but the catheter is subject to column load causing bending, kinking, and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The support tube is advanced into the PIVC before the catheter is advanced. This preliminary positioning of the support tube creates a protective pathway that prevents the catheter from kinking when it encounters curved regions, allowing smooth advancement while maintaining catheter integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The support tube acts as an intermediary element between the operator and the catheter. It provides mechanical support and guidance to the catheter during advancement through curved regions, preventing direct transmission of bending forces that would cause kinking
2Productivity
If additional force is applied to the catheter by further movement of the advancement member, then the catheter can be pushed further into the PIVC, but the catheter doubles back on itself and collapses
Solution Approach 1:
The support tube is positioned in advance within the PIVC to create a protective channel. This allows the operator to apply additional force for faster catheter deployment without risking buckling, as the support tube prevents the catheter from doubling back on itself
Solution Approach 2:
The support tube provides preemptive mechanical support to the catheter in curved regions. This cushioning effect absorbs and distributes forces during catheter advancement, preventing the catheter from collapsing under additional applied force
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 device effectively minimizes catheter kinking and deformation, ensuring smooth advancement and reliable blood draw or drug administration, while providing real-time operational data and alerts for potential issues.
Implementation Method 1
The support tube is formed of a flexible, kink-resistant material, such as a shape memory alloy
Implementation Method 2
The support tube is formed of a flexible, kink-resistant material
Data Source
AI summary
A blood draw device for advancing an extension catheter into an indwelling catheter includes an introducer housing, a kink-resistant support tube, a primary advancement member, and a secondary advancement member. The primary advancement member is movable relative to the housing to move the catheter from a first catheter position within the introducer to a second catheter position where a catheter distal end extends out past the indwelling catheter. The secondary advancement member is distal from the primary advancement member and is movable relative to the housing to move the support tube from a first tube position within the introducer to a second tube position where a tube distal end extends out past the indwelling catheter. When in the second tube position, the support tube is arranged coaxially about a portion of the catheter, to prevent kinking thereof as it advances from the first catheter position to the second catheter position.