Access Cannula Blocking Device for Dialysis Needle Dislodgement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for detecting venous needle dislodgement (VND) during dialysis treatments are not 100% reliable, often result in delayed detection, and can be costly, with existing methods prone to false alarms and requiring additional equipment.

Innovation Solution

An access cannula with a locking device that kinks the indwelling tube when dislodged, using a spring element to balance elastic restoring forces and blood pressure, allowing for immediate detection of blood flow interruption through standard pressure monitoring systems without additional equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure monitoring is used to detect venous needle dislodgement, then detection capability is provided, but detection is delayed and unreliable due to pressure variations and flow resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVND detection reliabilityVSAvoidDetection delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is pre-loaded to exert a blocking force on the indwelling tube in the event of dislodgement. This preliminary preparation ensures that when VND occurs, the tube is immediately blocked by the spring force, preventing blood loss and enabling rapid detection without waiting for pressure changes to manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device with spring element is positioned and pre-configured to automatically engage and block the tube if dislodgement occurs. The spring is pre-compressed between the mounting base and the connection section, ready to instantly restrict tube movement and blood flow upon loss of tensile force from needle dislodgement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If leak sensors are used to detect blood loss, then detection accuracy is improved, but additional expensive equipment and disposable parts are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBlood loss detection accuracyVSAvoidAdditional equipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing pressure monitoring equipment already present in dialysis machines to detect blood loss. The spring element creates a mechanical-blockage-based pressure change that the standard pressure sensor can detect, eliminating the need for separate leak sensors or additional detection equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element serves multiple functions: it provides the blocking mechanism for immediate tube occlusion upon dislodgement, creates a detectable pressure signal for the existing pressure monitor, and eliminates the need for separate leak detection equipment by making the standard pressure sensor sufficient for VND detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If alarms are triggered frequently due to false positives, then detection sensitivity is high, but alarm reliability decreases and alarms are ignored

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAlarm reliabilityVSAvoidFalse alarm impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is pre-loaded to immediately block the tube upon dislodgement, creating a rapid and significant pressure change that is distinct from normal operational variations. This preliminary blocking action ensures that the pressure signal triggering the alarm is unequivocal and unlikely to be mistaken for normal conditions, reducing false alarms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element acts so rapidly upon dislodgement that it rushes through the blocking action before any gradual pressure changes or flow resistance issues can occur. This immediate action creates a sharp, distinct pressure signal that is easily distinguishable from normal operational fluctuations, improving alarm reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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

Enables rapid and reliable detection of VND, preventing significant blood loss and potential complications by blocking blood flow, thus triggering alarms and stopping the blood pump promptly, without the need for extra devices or complex handling.

Implementation Method 1

The locking device has a spring element, the first end of which is located at a first position on the indwelling tube, and the second end of which is connected or connectable to the indwelling tube at a second position... the spring element, in a tensioned position outside the rest position, exerts a force on the dwell tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic restoring force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3552636B1Access cannula with blocking device
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 B BRAUN AVITUM
  • EP3552636B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3552636B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an access cannula (Z), in particular an indwelling venous cannula, with an indwelling tube (3) which is configured to serve as an access point during a treatment, in particular a dialysis treatment, wherein a locking device (1) is provided to keep the indwelling tube (3) kinked in a resting position.