Vascular Access Device Patency Verification via Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing the intra-luminal placement and patency of vascular access devices rely on subjective clinical assessments, which are often inaccurate, leading to potential tissue damage, increased pain, and delayed care for patients.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive system that uses sensors to monitor changes in systemic vascular pressure, comparing these measurements to reference values to objectively determine the patency and placement of vascular access devices, providing user-perceivable indicators for healthcare workers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective clinical assessment methods are used to assess vascular access device placement and patency, then the assessment process is simple and quick, but the accuracy and reliability of the assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical assessment methods (visual inspection, manual flushing resistance) with an automated electronic sensing system that uses pressure sensors to objectively detect vascular access device patency and placement status through physiological pressure waveforms
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-assessment of vascular access device status by automatically monitoring pressure waveforms and providing real-time feedback about device patency and placement without requiring healthcare worker interpretation or manual testing
2Reliability
If subjective assessment methods are used, then the device operation is simple, but the reliability of determining intra-luminal placement and patency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback about vascular access device status by continuously monitoring pressure waveforms and displaying whether the device is patent and properly placed, enabling reliable determination through automated feedback rather than subjective judgment
3Reliability
If healthcare workers perform repeated assessments and consultations to ensure device viability, then patient safety is maintained, but time consumption and staff resource utilization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous monitoring of vascular access device status through ongoing pressure waveform analysis, eliminating the need for repeated discrete assessments and consultations while maintaining constant patient safety monitoring
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 system provides an objective and reliable means to assess vascular access device placement and patency, reducing the risk of extravasation, improving patient safety, and streamlining healthcare workflows by minimizing unnecessary replacements and delays.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is integrated with or operatively connected to the vascular access device to sense a physiological parameter at or in the intravascular lumen of the device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, and systems to non-invasively determine intra-luminal placement and patency of a vascular access device. Patency and/or placement are estimated indirectly by measuring a physiological parameter which is indicative of proper patency and/or placement of the vascular access device in a patient. The measurement is compared to a reference value or calibration. If the comparison indicates indication of proper patency and/or placement, a signal can be generated. The signal can be used in a number of ways. One example is to give a user-perceivable alarm or indication of proper patency and/or placement. Non-limiting examples include activating a light, an audible buzzer, a vibration, readable displayed text or graphics, or some combination of the same. The user can then have an indirect and at least semi-automatic way of estimating proper patency and/or placement of a vascular access device.