Telescopic Pericardial Access Device with Biasing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Percutaneous access to the pericardial space poses a risk of heart perforation due to its proximity to the heart, which can endanger patients.
Innovation Solution
A pericardial access device with a telescopic configuration and a biasing mechanism that allows controlled movement between expanded and contracted states, enabling safe penetration of the pericardial space by applying a force to the inner sheath, thereby reducing the risk of heart perforation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If percutaneous access is performed through the pericardium, then pericardial space access is achieved, but the risk of heart perforation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access device is divided into multiple telescopic tubes (first tube, second tube, third tube) that can be independently advanced and retracted. This segmentation allows controlled penetration through the pericardium while maintaining the ability to retract and reassess, thereby reducing the risk of heart perforation while achieving pericardial access.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic telescopic movement between the tubes, allowing the structure to transition from an expanded configuration during insertion to a contracted configuration for safer access. This dynamic adjustment enables controlled advancement while maintaining safety margins, reducing heart perforation risk.
Solution Approach 3:
The biasing mechanism pre-positions the telescopic tubes in an expanded configuration before insertion, and the controlled advancement protocol allows preliminary assessment and adjustment before final penetration. This preliminary action reduces the risk of perforation by ensuring proper positioning and controlled entry.
2Reliability
If a telescopic configuration is used, then controlled access is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a nested telescopic configuration where the first, second, and third tubes are arranged concentrically within each other. This nesting allows multiple tubes to be packed into a compact form factor while maintaining independent controllability, achieving reliable controlled access without excessive external complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A biasing mechanism serves as an intermediary element that automatically maintains the telescopic tubes in their expanded configuration during storage and non-use states. This intermediary component simplifies the control requirements by providing passive positioning, thereby reducing the operational complexity of the telescopic mechanism while ensuring reliable controlled access.
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 provides controlled access to the pericardial space, minimizing the risk of heart perforation and ensuring safe access for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism that biases the pericardial access device towards the expanded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A pericardial access device includes a first tube, a second tube coupled to the first tube, and a biasing mechanism coupled to the second tube. The pericardial access device is moveable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. The biasing mechanism biases the pericardial access device towards the expanded configuration, and the pericardial access device moves towards the contracted configuration when a force is applied to the second tube.