Thoracic Catheter With Rotating Clearing Head for VATS
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current thoracic catheters frequently suffer from clogging due to thrombus formation and debris, leading to complications such as non-functioning, infections, and increased risk of atrial fibrillation, and lack an effective design for single incision VATS procedures, causing patient discomfort and surgical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A thoracic catheter with a distal end featuring multiple side holes and a three-way valve for visualization and irrigation, allowing for direct visualization of blockages and using a clearing component with a rotating head to remove obstructions, and functioning as a port for VATS procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thoracic catheter is used for drainage, then fluid and air can be evacuated from the chest cavity, but the catheter lumen frequently becomes clogged by thrombus formation and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into multiple functional segments: a distal portion with multiple side holes for drainage, a proximal portion for connection, and an intermediate clearing component with a rotating head that can be deployed to break up clots. This segmentation allows the catheter to perform multiple functions including drainage, clot breaking, and self-cleaning without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter incorporates a self-cleaning mechanism where a clearing component with a rotating head can be inserted through the catheter lumen to break up clots and debris internally. The rotation of the head creates mechanical action that clears the lumen, allowing the catheter to maintain its own functionality without external intervention for unclogging.
2Productivity
If the catheter lumen is increased in size to prevent clogging, then drainage efficiency may improve, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is segmented across multiple side holes distributed along the distal portion of the catheter rather than relying on a single large lumen. This allows effective drainage through multiple smaller openings, maintaining drainage efficiency while using a smaller overall catheter size that causes less patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter features localized functional zones: the distal portion has multiple side holes optimized for drainage, while the clearing component can be deployed only when needed. This local differentiation allows the catheter to provide efficient drainage through its structure while remaining small in size, with the clearing function activated only when clogging occurs.
3Reliability
If traditional thoracic catheter placement is used, then drainage can be achieved, but additional incisions are required for VATS procedures causing increased patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides thoracic drainage through its side holes, acts as a port for VATS procedures through its proximal connection capability, and includes a clearing component for self-cleaning. This multi-functionality allows a single catheter placement to replace what would traditionally require separate procedures and incisions, reducing patient discomfort while maintaining drainage reliability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the catheter is sutured to the skin to prevent movement, then catheter stability is improved, but the complexity of the overall system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter integrates multiple functions into a single device: the drainage catheter, the clearing component with rotating head, and the connection mechanisms are combined into one integrated system. This merging reduces the number of separate components and procedures needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining catheter stability through its designed fixation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A thoracic catheter system comprises a flexible thoracic catheter for inserting into a thoracic cavity of a human. A distal end of the thoracic catheter has a plurality of apertures. A proximate end of the thoracic catheter is designed to extend out of the thoracic cavity. A three way valve is one of fused with and removably attached to the proximal end of the thoracic catheter.