Soft Tissue Tunneling Device with Blunt Tip and Retractable Needle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunneling devices for catheter placement often cause tissue damage and discomfort due to their sharp tips and require stiff introducer needles, which can lead to trauma and discomfort during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A soft tissue tunneling device with a blunt distal tip and a retractable needle, featuring a malleable shaft and fluid delivery system, designed to minimize tissue damage and provide anesthetic delivery to alleviate discomfort, allowing for precise and comfortable catheter placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a sharp-tipped introducer needle is used for catheter placement, then the device can penetrate tissue effectively, but it causes tissue damage and trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional segments: a sharp retractable needle for initial skin penetration and a blunt-tipped shaft for safe tissue tunneling. This segmentation allows each part to perform its optimal function without causing unnecessary harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The sharp needle performs the preliminary action of penetrating the skin barrier, after which it is retracted and the blunt shaft continues the tunneling process. This preliminary action separates the harmful penetration function from the safe tunneling function.
2Strength
If a stiff introducer needle is used for catheter placement, then the device maintains structural integrity, but it causes trauma and discomfort during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the device have different mechanical properties: the needle portion is sharp and rigid for penetration, while the shaft portion is blunt and more flexible for safe tissue navigation. This local differentiation of quality reduces overall trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static stiff needle to a dynamic system where the needle can be retracted and the blunt shaft can be advanced, allowing the device to adapt its mechanical properties during different phases of insertion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a blunt distal tip is used for tunneling, then tissue damage is minimized, but the device may have difficulty penetrating the skin initially
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a sharp needle component and a blunt shaft component, allowing each to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The sharp needle performs the preliminary skin penetration action, enabling the blunt shaft to then perform its tissue tunneling function without difficulty.
4Device complexity
If no anesthetic delivery system is included, then the device structure remains simple, but patient discomfort increases during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical tunneling and anesthetic delivery. This multi-functionality addresses patient discomfort without requiring a separate anesthetic administration device.
Solution Approach 2:
The anesthetic delivery system is merged with the tunneling device structure, combining what would traditionally be separate procedures into a single integrated device.
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 reduces tissue damage and discomfort by using a blunt tip and anesthetic delivery, enabling accurate and comfortable catheter placement with minimal trauma, while the malleable shaft facilitates precise navigation within the anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
An inlet to the interior lumen to permits liquid to be introduced into the interior lumen and administered to the patient through the at least one fluid exit opening
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue tunneling device is configured to be delivered within the body. The tunneling device includes a shaft with a blunt distal end to prevent coring or other damage to tissue during the delivery of the tunneling device. In some arrangements, the shaft includes one or more lumen, through which medication or another fluid may be administered. An anesthetic or other pain relieving medication may be delivered through the lumen to lessen the discomfort of delivering the tunneling device to the desired anatomical site. The shaft may also include a retractable needle for facilitating the advancement of the tunneling device through skin or other tissue. The shaft may also be provided with an outer sheath, which may be left within the anatomy after the tunneling device has been removed. The shaft may be malleable for custom-shaping the tunneling device prior to and/or during delivery.