Bifurcated Venous Cannula for Simultaneous Sampling and Infusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Frequent blood sampling in hospitalized patients is painful, costly, and disrupts sleep, leading to slower healing and increased risks of infection and contamination, especially for diabetic patients who require frequent monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A venous access device with a bifurcated cannula that includes separate blood sampling and fluid transfer lumens, allowing for simultaneous fluid delivery and blood sampling without contamination, reducing the need for repeated skin punctures and overnight sampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If frequent blood sampling is performed using traditional methods (venous draws or finger pricks), then blood glucose monitoring requirements are met, but patient discomfort increases, sleep is disrupted, and healing is slowed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood glucose monitoringVSAvoidpatient discomfort and sleep disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines blood sampling and fluid transfer functions into a single venous access device with a bifurcated cannula. The device includes a blood sampling lumen and a fluid transfer lumen that are separate but integrated within the same catheter structure, allowing both functions to be performed through one insertion site without repeated skin punctures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The venous access device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can deliver fluids intravenously through the fluid transfer lumen and simultaneously obtain blood samples through the blood sampling lumen. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate procedures for fluid administration and blood monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If blood samples are obtained from an existing venous access device, then repeated skin punctures are avoided, but blood sample contamination and hemolysis occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduced skin puncturesVSAvoidblood sample accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula is divided into separate lumens: a blood sampling lumen and a fluid transfer lumen. This segmentation prevents mixing between blood samples and intravenous fluids, ensuring sample integrity while allowing continuous fluid delivery. The physical separation of pathways eliminates cross-contamination risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the venous access device have specialized functions optimized for their specific purposes. The blood sampling lumen is configured specifically for obtaining uncontaminated blood samples, while the fluid transfer lumen is optimized for intravenous fluid delivery. Each lumen's local structure is tailored to its specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single lumen is used for both fluid delivery and blood sampling, then device complexity is reduced, but blood sample contamination and fluid mixing occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula structureVSAvoidblood sample purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bifurcated cannula structure nests multiple lumens within a single catheter body. The blood sampling lumen and fluid transfer lumen are positioned concentrically or adjacently within the same outer sheath, allowing both functions to be integrated in a compact design that doesn't significantly increase overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Measurement precision

If overnight blood sampling is performed to meet monitoring requirements, then blood glucose monitoring frequency is maintained, but patient sleep and healing are negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood glucose monitoring frequencyVSAvoidpatient recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The venous access device enables continuous availability for blood sampling without requiring repeated insertions. Once the device is in place, blood samples can be obtained continuously throughout the night and day through the dedicated blood sampling lumen, maintaining monitoring frequency while allowing uninterrupted sleep

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20230389839A1Venous access device

Publication Date: 2023.12.07 SITE SAVER INC

AI summary

A venous access device includes a hub and a bifurcated cannula. The hub includes a bifurcated connecting arm, a blood sampling arm connected to the bifurcated connecting arm, a fluid transfer arm connected to the bifurcated connecting arm, a blood sampling channel and a fluid transfer channel. The blood sampling channel passes through the blood sampling arm and the bifurcated connecting arm. The fluid transfer channel passes through the fluid transfer arm and the bifurcated connecting arm. The bifurcated cannula is coupled to the bifurcated connecting arm and includes a blood sampling lumen having a blood sampling port, a fluid transfer lumen having a fluid transfer port, and a dividing member separating the blood sampling lumen from the fluid transfer lumen. The blood sampling port is 2 mm to 20 mm proximal from the fluid transfer port. The blood sampling channel is fluidly connected to the blood sampling lumen, and the fluid transfer channel is fluidly connected to the fluid transfer lumen.