Cannula Seal System with Resilient Sleeve and Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare providers face risks of exposure to hazardous chemotherapy drugs during reconstitution, transportation, and administration due to unintentional exposure to toxic residues on cannula tips, which can lead to health hazards similar to needlestick injuries.
Innovation Solution
A cannula seal system comprising a resilient sleeve and a spring mechanism that encloses the cannula tip, allowing it to pierce and reseal during fluid transfer, preventing leakage and exposure by maintaining a leak-proof seal throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cannula seal system with resilient sleeve and spring mechanism is used to enclose the cannula, then liquid tightness and air tightness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient sleeve is disposed within the needle hub, and the spring mechanism is nested within the same housing structure. The cannula passes through the resilient sleeve, creating a nested configuration where multiple sealing and actuating components are integrated within the compact needle hub volume, achieving liquid and air tightness without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically biases the resilient sleeve to enclose the cannula after insertion, and the resilient sleeve automatically seals against the cannula surface. This self-actuating system eliminates the need for manual sealing operations, improving reliability while keeping the device structure relatively simple
2Reliability
If a cannula seal system with resilient sleeve and spring mechanism is used to enclose the cannula, then liquid tightness and air tightness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient sleeve is disposed within the needle hub, and the spring mechanism is nested within the same housing structure. The cannula passes through the resilient sleeve, creating a nested configuration where multiple sealing and actuating components are integrated within the compact needle hub volume, achieving liquid and air tightness without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically biases the resilient sleeve to enclose the cannula after insertion, and the resilient sleeve automatically seals against the cannula surface. This self-actuating system eliminates the need for manual sealing operations, improving reliability while keeping the device structure relatively simple
3Ease of operation
If the cannula seal is retracted to expose the distal end of the cannula, then ease of operation is improved, but safety worsens due to increased exposure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient sleeve transitions between two dynamic states: enclosed during storage and transport to protect the cannula, and retracted during use to expose the distal end for insertion. The spring mechanism enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, thus balancing ease of operation with safety
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient sleeve is pre-configured in the enclosed position during storage and transport, providing automatic protection without requiring user intervention. When ready for use, the user simply needs to pull the plunger, which automatically triggers the retraction sequence, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of the seal and reducing exposure risk
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 system effectively prevents exposure to toxic residues and accidental needlestick injuries by ensuring a secure, leak-proof seal during cannula engagement, transfer, and disengagement, thereby enhancing safety for healthcare workers.
Implementation Method 1
a cannula seal having a resilient sleeve enclosing at least a portion of the cannula
Implementation Method 2
A spring may be disposed over the cannula such that the spring is positioned between the cannula and the cannula seal with the spring biasing the cannula seal to the first position
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
Figure 1C
AI summary
A system includes a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the needle hub has a connection portion configured to receive a first container. The system further includes a cannula received by the needle hub with the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and a cannula seal having a resilient sleeve enclosing at least a portion of the cannula. The system also includes a vial adapter configured to be attached to a second container with the vial adapter having a vial seal that is con-figured to engage the cannula seal. The cannula seal has a first position where the cannula seal encloses the distal end of the cannula and a second position where the cannula seal is retracted to expose the distal end of the cannula.