Cannula Insertion Device Housing and Sleeve Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infusion devices face challenges such as needle exposure risks, patient reluctance due to visible needles, and difficulties in ease of use and sterilization, particularly in loading the infusion device into the insertion device.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing and sleeve design that includes a tab and slot mechanism to guide the needle insertion, a threaded cap for sealing, and a spring mechanism to automatically drive the needle into the skin, enhancing user safety and ease of use while ensuring proper sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle is used to introduce the cannula into the subcutaneous layer, then the cannula can be effectively inserted, but there is a risk of inadvertent needle exposure and patient reluctance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula insertion effectivenessVSAvoidneedle exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is nested within the housing structure, which provides a protective barrier. The housing contains the needle in a retracted position during storage and transport, and only exposes it during the intended insertion action, thereby eliminating inadvertent exposure while maintaining insertion effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary between the user and the needle. It provides a controlled interface where the needle is only exposed when the user intentionally actuates the device, mediating the interaction to prevent accidental contact while enabling deliberate insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the needle is visible before insertion, then the patient can see what is being inserted, but patients may react adversely and be reluctant to place the needle into the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient visibility of needleVSAvoidpatient willingness to insert

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful visual element (the needle) is extracted from the user's field of view by enclosing it within the housing. The housing can be designed with opaque materials or positioning features that prevent the needle from being visible during storage and handling, eliminating the adverse psychological reaction while maintaining the insertion function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the infusion device is loaded into the insertion device, then the cannula can be introduced, but patients may have difficulty loading the device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula introductionVSAvoidloading difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components (housing, needle assembly, cannula, actuation mechanism) that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows for simplified loading procedures where each component has a defined placement position and orientation, making the loading process more intuitive and easier to perform correctly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed with pre-configured components and alignment features that guide the loading process. The needle assembly and cannula are pre-positioned within the housing with alignment guides, stoppers, or shaped interfaces that automatically orient components correctly during loading, eliminating the need for complex manual positioning by the patient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces needle exposure risks, improves patient comfort and ease of use by hiding the needle during insertion, and facilitates sterilization through a secure and efficient mechanism for introducing the cannula into the subcutaneous layer of the skin.

Implementation Method 1

some devices utilize springs to automatically drive a needle into the skin of a patient to introduce the cannula of the infusion device into the subcutaneous layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9227013B2Device for insertion of a cannula of an infusion device and method

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 ICU MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A device for inserting a needle used to introduce a cannula can include a housing including a closed end, an open end, and an arm including a tab extending from the open end, and a sleeve configured to be placed against the patient's skin, the sleeve defining a slot extending along a length of the sleeve, and a barb positioned adjacent to an end of the slot. The slot is sized to receive at least a portion of the arm and the tab of the housing so that the arm and the tab of the housing slides within the slot as the housing is moved relative to the sleeve, and the barb is positioned to engage the tab of the housing to limit movement of the housing relative to the sleeve. The device can also include a threaded portion of the housing extending towards the closed end of the housing.