Integrated Blood Draw and Flush Catheter Adapter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood draw procedures are complex and inefficient, involving multiple connection/disconnection steps, limiting them to newly inserted catheters and increasing risks such as drug contamination, hemolysis, infection, and catheter occlusion.

Innovation Solution

A blood draw system with a catheter adapter connector and valves that allow selective fluid communication between blood draw devices, flush devices, and catheters, including a protective needle housing system to prevent needle exposure and enhance safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional blood draw procedures are used with multiple connection/disconnection steps, then blood samples can be collected, but the procedure complexity increases and patient risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood draw procedure simplicityVSAvoidnumber of connection/disconnection steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the blood draw device, flush device, and catheter adapter into a single integrated assembly. The blood draw needle, flush needle, and catheter adapter are merged into one unified device that can be inserted through a single puncture, eliminating the need for multiple separate connection and disconnection steps while maintaining the ability to perform both blood collection and flushing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated blood draw and flush assembly serves multiple functions: it can draw blood samples, flush the catheter, and maintain sterile connection all through a single device. The blood draw needle and flush needle share the same catheter adapter and connection interface, allowing the system to perform diverse functions without requiring multiple separate devices or repeated attachment/detachment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional blood draw procedures are used, then blood samples can be collected, but the risk of drug contamination, hemolysis, infection, and catheter occlusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoiddrug contamination, hemolysis, infection, catheter occlusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a flush operation before blood collection to clear any residual drugs or contaminants from the catheter lumen. The flush needle is positioned to deliver flush solution through the catheter ahead of the blood draw needle insertion, ensuring the catheter is prepared and cleared before sampling begins. This preliminary flushing action prevents drug contamination and hemolysis of the blood sample.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter adapter serves as an intermediary component that maintains sterile barrier and controlled fluid communication between the blood draw needle, flush needle, and intravenous catheter. The adapter's design includes sealed interfaces and controlled access ports that prevent direct exposure of the blood sample to external contaminants while allowing controlled flushing and sampling operations, thereby reducing infection and contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple connection/disconnection steps are performed, then blood draw and flush functions can be performed, but the time required for the procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood draw procedure efficiencyVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the blood draw and flush functions into a single integrated assembly that remains connected throughout the procedure, the system eliminates the time-consuming steps of repeatedly connecting and disconnecting devices. The unified design allows seamless transition between flushing and blood collection without requiring device changes or reconnections, significantly reducing overall procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated assembly maintains continuous connection to the catheter throughout the entire blood draw and flush procedure. The blood draw needle and flush needle both connect to the same catheter adapter without disconnection, allowing continuous fluid communication and eliminating idle time between operations. This continuous connection enables seamless switching between functions without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20230397859A1Blood collection devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

A blood draw system may include a catheter adapter connector in fluid communication with a catheter adapter, and a blood draw device in selective fluid communication with the catheter adapter connector. A first valve may be utilized to selectively permit fluid communication between the blood draw device and the catheter adapter connector. A flush device may also be in selective fluid communication with the catheter adapter connector to flush the catheter adapter after a blood draw procedure. A second valve may be utilized to selectively permit fluid communication between the flush device and the catheter adapter connector.