Thoracostomy Bolt With Flange-Limited Chest Tube Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chest tubes for draining excess fluid from the pleural cavity are not designed for rapid and safe deployment in emergent situations, often requiring additional instruments and increasing the risk of incorrect insertion depth and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A chest tube device with a flange to limit insertion depth and a stylet with a beveled tip for easy insertion, allowing for simultaneous deployment and drainage, reducing complexity and risk of contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional chest tube is used for draining excess fluid from the pleural cavity, then fluid drainage function is achieved, but the deployment process is complex and requires additional instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stylet (insertion aid) and chest tube into a single integrated device. The stylet is positioned within the lumen of the chest tube, creating a unified assembly that performs both insertion and drainage functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate insertion instruments and simplifies the deployment process while maintaining the fluid drainage capability.
2Reliability
If a traditional chest tube is used, then fluid drainage is achieved, but the risk of incorrect insertion depth is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is pre-positioned on the chest tube at a specific distance from the distal end, establishing the correct insertion depth before the procedure begins. During insertion, the flange acts as a depth stop that prevents the tube from being inserted too far into the pleural cavity. This preliminary positioning feature ensures accurate insertion depth and prevents harmful over-insertion.
3Reliability
If a traditional chest tube is used, then fluid drainage is achieved, but the risk of contamination is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the stylet within the chest tube lumen, the patent creates a protected, closed system during insertion. The stylet acts as a barrier that prevents external contaminants from entering the tube during the insertion process. This integrated design reduces exposure to contamination risks compared to separate instruments that would require multiple handling steps.
4Productivity
If rapid deployment is achieved with integrated design, then deployment speed is improved, but insertion depth control must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is pre-positioned at a precise distance from the distal end of the chest tube during manufacturing, establishing the correct insertion depth limit before deployment. This preliminary precision feature allows for rapid deployment without sacrificing depth control, as the flange automatically stops insertion at the correct depth regardless of deployment speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A chest tube device designed for rapid deployment includes a chest tube and a stylet removably positioned in the lumen of the chest tube. The chest tube includes a flange between the proximal and distal ends to limit insertion of the chest tube into the patient's s body during deployment. At least one strap can be coupled to the flange and secured to the patient to inhibit or prohibit relative movement of the chest tube and patient.