Vibrating Catheter for Clot Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chest tubes often clog after surgery, leading to life-threatening complications such as hemothorax and pericardial effusion, with existing methods like heparin coating and electroactive polymers being unreliable and limited in their mechanism of action, and there is a need for a system that prevents clot formation on both inner and outer surfaces of catheters to maintain patency and reduce complications.
Innovation Solution
A catheter drainage system that applies mechanical motion, such as vibration, to the lumen of the catheter to prevent biological substances from adhering to the inner and outer walls, thereby minimizing occlusion and maintaining patency, using a device with a motor coupled to an electrical energy source to deliver vibratory force along the catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heparin coating is applied to the catheter surface, then clot formation is reduced, but the effect is limited in time and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the catheter surface to prevent clot formation. The vibration mechanism creates mechanical disturbance that prevents blood components from adhering to the catheter wall, providing a prolonged and reliable effect unlike temporary chemical coatings. The vibration is generated by an electroactive polymer or other actuator that oscillates the catheter surface at frequencies sufficient to disrupt clot formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical mechanisms (heparin coating) with mechanical mechanisms (vibration) for clot prevention. This substitution provides a more reliable and controllable method, as the mechanical vibration can be activated and adjusted as needed, whereas chemical coatings have fixed and limited duration of action.
2Ease of operation
If electroactive polymers are embedded in the tube surface, then tube clearance is facilitated, but the mechanism is complex and not fully reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration generated by electroactive polymers to clear clots from the catheter. The electroactive polymer acts as an actuator that converts electrical signals to mechanical vibration, providing a controllable and relatively simple system compared to other complex mechanical clearance mechanisms. The vibration frequency and amplitude can be adjusted to optimize clot clearance while minimizing device complexity.
3Productivity
If chest tube stripping is performed, then clot removal is enhanced, but transient high negative intrathoracic pressure is generated which can be detrimental
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration to remove clots from the catheter without generating harmful pressure changes. The vibration creates mechanical forces that dislodge and flush clots through the catheter lumen using fluid flow, rather than generating negative intrathoracic pressure. This approach maintains productivity in clot removal while eliminating the harmful side effects of traditional stripping methods.
4Ease of operation
If milking of chest tubes is performed, then external clot removal is achieved, but clots may be pushed back into the intrathoracic portion occluding tube eyelets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration along the entire length of the catheter, including the intrathoracic portion, to prevent and remove clots. This ensures that clots are addressed both externally and internally, preventing the problem of pushing clots back into the intrathoracic space. The vibration mechanism provides reliable maintenance of tube patency throughout the entire catheter length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides continuous or intermittent vibration along the entire catheter length, ensuring ongoing prevention and removal of clots. This continuous action maintains tube patency reliably, unlike intermittent manual milking that may miss internal clot formation. The vibration operates throughout the catheter simultaneously, providing comprehensive clot management.
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 mechanical motion effectively reduces clot formation and maintains catheter patency, enhancing drainage efficiency and reducing complications associated with clogged chest tubes, as demonstrated by increased drainage volume and reduced clot solidity in experimental studies.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical motion source is configured to deliver mechanical motion, such as vibration, to the catheter along the lumen
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods for minimizing or preventing catheter or other medical device occlusion. Mechanical motion is applied to the inner and outer walls of the catheter to minimize blood clots or other biological substances from obstructing the catheter and to help maintain catheter patency.