Cannula Guard and Adhesive Liner Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medical devices with cannulas and adhesives pose difficulties for patients with impaired dexterity due to separate steps for removing needle guards and adhesive release liners, which can lead to accidental needle-stick injuries and adhesive degradation.

Innovation Solution

A medical device design where a cannula guard is connected to an adhesive liner, allowing for simultaneous or partial removal, reducing the complexity and risk of separate steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the needle guard and adhesive liner are removed in separate steps, then each component can be individually managed, but the process complexity increases and the risk of accidental needle-stick injuries and adhesive degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidremoval process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the needle guard and adhesive liner into a single integrated protective assembly that is removed in one step. The guard covers both the cannula and the adhesive liner, and both components are detached simultaneously by pulling the guard, eliminating the need for separate removal steps and reducing the risk of accidental exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive liner is nested within the needle guard structure. The guard acts as an outer protective layer that encapsulates the adhesive liner, allowing both to be removed together as a single unit. This nested configuration simplifies the removal process while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the adhesive liner is removed first, then the adhesive is exposed for cannula insertion, but the exposed adhesive can catch on the user's finger or the inner wall of the inserter, potentially requiring the use of a new infusion set

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive application readinessVSAvoidadhesive integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The needle guard remains in place to protect the adhesive liner until the moment of insertion. The guard is designed to be removed just before or during the insertion process, ensuring the adhesive is exposed only when needed and remains protected from contamination or damage until that critical moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The needle guard serves as an intermediary protective element between the adhesive liner and the external environment (user's fingers, inserter walls). It maintains the adhesive's integrity by preventing direct contact with potentially contaminating surfaces until the insertion is ready to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the needle guard is very small to fit the cannula, then it provides adequate protection, but it becomes difficult to grasp and remove, particularly for people with impaired dexterity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidguard removal ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle guard is extended beyond the minimal size required to cover the cannula. By adding length or surface area in another dimension, the guard becomes easier to grasp with fingers while still maintaining its protective function. The extra material provides adequate grip surfaces without compromising the guard's ability to protect the cannula and adhesive liner.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3225266B1Single step removal of cannula guard and adhesive liner in medical device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 BECTON DICKINSON & CO
  • EP3225266B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3225266B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3225266B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A medical device (100) includes a body (104) and a cannula (112) extending from the body, for insertion into a patient's skin. The medical device also includes a guard (144) covering the cannula, an adhesive (108) for securing the medical device to the patient's skin, and an adhesive liner (148) covering the adhesive. The guard is connected to the adhesive liner to enable conjoint and at least partial removal of the guard and the adhesive liner.