Regional Anesthesia Device with Actuator Switches for Independent Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current regional anesthesia procedures require assistance to manage the flow of local anesthetic, as clinicians need one hand for the needle and another for an ultrasound probe, leading to reliance on an assistant for accurate timing and pressure control.
Innovation Solution
A device with a regional anesthetic needle, an infusion device, and a controller with actuator switches that allow for manual control of anesthetic flow, enabling self-administration without assistance, incorporating an ultrasound probe for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an assistant is used to hold the syringe and control injection, then accurate timing and pressure control is achieved, but the clinician cannot perform the procedure independently and procedural efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service by integrating the syringe holder and injection controller directly into the needle assembly, allowing the clinician to independently control anesthetic delivery without requiring an assistant to hold the syringe or manage injection timing
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe holder and actuator controls are merged with the needle assembly into a single integrated device, combining functions that were previously separated between the clinician's hands and an assistant's support role
2Measurement precision
If both hands are required for needle and ultrasound probe, then imaging accuracy is maintained, but the clinician cannot control anesthetic flow independently
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator switches are designed to be operable by the clinician's hand while maintaining ultrasound probe contact, enabling self-control of anesthetic flow without requiring assistant intervention or compromising imaging accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with flexible positioning options, allowing actuator switches to be placed on the needle hub, syringe holder, or elsewhere within reach of the clinician's hand, adapting to different operational configurations
3Device complexity
If manual syringe control is used, then simple device structure is maintained, but timing and pressure control accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates sensors that detect clinician actuation of the actuator switches and provide feedback control of anesthetic flow rate and pressure, ensuring precise delivery parameters while maintaining a simple manual operation interface
Solution Approach 2:
Manual syringe plunger control is replaced with electronically actuated flow devices that respond to simple switch inputs, substituting complex manual coordination with straightforward electronic control mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
An anesthetic administration device (1) comprising an infusion device (2), which is in fluid connection with a regional anesthetic needle (3) by means of a feed tube (4). The infusion device (2) comprises one or more anesthetic flow devices (25a) capable of triggering forward flow, and optionally backward flow, of the local anesthetic through the regional anesthetic needle (3). Forward, and optionally backward flow, of the local anesthetic through the regional anesthetic needle (3) is controlled by a controller (7) that comprises one or more actuator switches (7a 7b). The one or more actuator switches (7a 7b) are positioned on the device (1) such that they may be operated by hand.