Variable Infusion Length Catheter Rotational Port Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion catheter designs that allow adjustment of infusion length are cumbersome and risk introducing non-sterile components into the patient, as they require sliding components outside the patient, which can be impractical and risky for optimal treatment.
Innovation Solution
A variable infusion length catheter with a coaxial tube assembly where inner tubes are rotatable within an outer tube to change the pattern of fluid communication among side ports, allowing for adjustable infusion lengths without the need for sliding components, enabling precise control over fluid delivery within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sliding components are used to adjust infusion length, then the infusion length can be adjusted, but the risk of introducing non-sterile parts into the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter employs a dynamic rotational mechanism where the inner tube can rotate relative to the outer tube to selectively align different side ports with the infusion lumen. This dynamic adjustment allows the infusion length to be changed by rotating the inner tube to different angular positions, thereby opening or closing different side ports without requiring sliding components that would expose non-sterile parts to the patient.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sliding components are used to adjust infusion length, then the infusion length can be adjusted, but the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational mechanism allows for easy adjustment of infusion length by simply rotating the inner tube to the desired angular position. This is much simpler and more intuitive than sliding components, which would require precise linear positioning and may involve multiple steps of insertion and retraction. The rotational motion naturally aligns different side ports with the infusion lumen in a straightforward manner.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adjusting infusion length by sliding components along the longitudinal axis (one-dimensional movement), the invention uses rotational movement around the catheter axis (angular/dimensional change). This transforms the adjustment mechanism from linear sliding to rotational alignment, making the operation more intuitive and easier to control while maintaining sterility.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple infusion ports are distributed along the catheter, then the treatment area can be covered, but the distribution may not match the length of the treatment area
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is designed with multiple side ports at different angular positions around its circumference. By rotating the inner tube, the clinician can selectively align different sets of side ports with the infusion lumen, thereby adjusting which ports are active for fluid delivery. This dynamic alignment allows the active infusion length to be precisely matched to the specific treatment area requirements, regardless of how the ports are distributed along the catheter.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable infusion length catheter includes a tube assembly having a plurality of coaxial tubes each with a plurality of side ports formed therein, and having among the tubes a plurality of different rotational configurations each defining a different pattern of fluid communication among the side ports and a corresponding different infusion length of the catheter. Related methodology is also disclosed.