Zipper-Lock Guide Sheath for Sterile Vascular Tool Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vascular intervention procedures face the risk of in-body infection due to contamination of procedure tools like catheters and guide wires, which are exposed during the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A vascular intervention device featuring guide zipper-lock units with first and second zipper-lock members that progressively engage to surround the procedure tool's outer surface, preventing exposure and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If procedure tools are exposed to the outside during vascular intervention procedures, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination risk increases leading to in-body infection
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure tool is nested within a protective sheath that extends from the catheter tip. The sheath acts as a protective covering that can be retracted or advanced to expose or protect the procedure tool as needed, maintaining sterility while allowing operational access when required
Solution Approach 2:
A protective sheath or covering acts as an intermediary barrier between the procedure tool and the external environment. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between contaminants and the procedure tool while allowing the tool to function when the sheath is retracted
2Reliability
If procedure tools are covered to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sheath is merged with the catheter structure, forming an integrated assembly where the sheath and catheter work together as a single unit. This integration reduces the number of separate components while maintaining both protection and operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheath is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to be retracted, advanced, or positioned as needed during the procedure. This dynamic capability enables the system to transition between protected and exposed states without requiring complete disassembly or additional complex mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a vascular intervention device. The vascular intervention device may include a main body extending in one direction, and a plurality of guide zipper-lock units provided along a length direction of the main body and configured to guide a procedure tool inserted into a human body to the human body. Each guide zipper-lock unit may include a first zipper-lock member and a second zipper-lock member. The first zipper-lock member and the second zipper-lock member may be configured to surround an outer circumferential surface of the procedure tool in the length direction while being progressively engaged with each other during sliding-out in a length direction of the procedure tool.