Blood Collection Device Retaining Structure for Tube Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood collection devices often cause blood collection tubes to be disengaged during procedures, leading to potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens and broken glass, as the resilient valve member compresses and urges the tube out, requiring manual grip to prevent disengagement.
Innovation Solution
A blood collection device with a retaining structure featuring pivotally supported arms and a slip-resistant surface, including ratchet teeth or an elastomeric layer, to securely hold the blood collection tube within the receptacle, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement without manual grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient valve member is used to seal the needle, then the valve member can return to seal the needle after tube removal, but the compressed valve member urges the blood collection tube out of the receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functional segments: the resilient valve member handles sealing, while the separate retaining structure (arms with grip surfaces) handles tube retention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between valve sealing reliability and tube retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining structure acts as an intermediary between the compressed valve member and the blood collection tube. While the valve member compresses and creates urging force, the retaining structure mediates by providing counteracting retention forces through its arms and grip surfaces, preventing tube disengagement without affecting valve sealing.
2Reliability
If manual grip is applied to hold the tube during compression, then tube disengagement is prevented, but the complexity of the procedure increases and exposure risk remains
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure is designed to automatically engage and retain the blood collection tube without requiring manual grip or operator intervention. The arms with grip surfaces self-adjust to hold the tube securely during the compression process, making the device self-sufficient and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining reliable tube retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining structure serves as an intermediary mechanism that eliminates the need for manual grip. It automatically provides the retention force needed to counteract the compressed valve member's urging force, simplifying the procedure by removing the requirement for continuous manual holding while maintaining tube security.
3Device complexity
If the tube is allowed to disengage during compression, then the device structure remains simple, but blood spillage and pathogen exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the retention function from the basic receptacle structure, adding dedicated retaining arms with grip surfaces. This segmentation provides effective tube retention to prevent disengagement and eliminate pathogen exposure risks, while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining structure provides beforehand protection by automatically engaging and securing the tube before compression occurs. This preventive measure ensures tube retention throughout the procedure, cushioning against potential disengagement and the harmful effects of blood spillage and pathogen exposure.
4Ease of operation
If a retaining structure with pivotally supported arms is added, then tube retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining arms are designed to be pivotally supported, allowing them to dynamically adjust and adapt to the tube's position and shape. This dynamic capability improves tube retention effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the use of simple pivot mechanisms rather than complex active control systems.
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 device effectively secures the blood collection tube during procedures, preventing disengagement and spillage, thus reducing exposure to bloodborne pathogens and minimizing the risk of broken glass, while allowing for easy removal of the tube without manual assistance.
Implementation Method 1
The valve member is formed from a resilient material, which will return to a position to seal the proximal end of the needle when the blood collection tube is removed from the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
The at least one arm may include a surface positioned to engage a blood collection tube which is slip-resistant. The slip-resistant surface may be textured, e.g., ratchet teeth, granules, serrations, knurling, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
A blood collection device is disclosed which includes a body defining a receptacle dimensioned to receive a blood collection tube. The body has a first open end and a second end supporting a needle having a proximal end extending into the receptacle and a distal end extending distally of the body. Retaining structure is supported on the body. The retaining structure extends into the receptacle and is configured to releasably retain the blood collection tube within the receptacle.