Catheter Hub Clip Assembly for One-Hand Needle Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catheter instruments face challenges with needle shielding devices that are too long, difficult to use with one hand, and have complex manufacturing processes, often causing discomfort and fatigue due to poorly tuned tensions.

Innovation Solution

A catheter instrument design featuring a catheter assembly with a high pressure clip and needle shielding device, where the high pressure clip engages with a needle protection clip to provide controlled tension and a shorter, easier-to-use solution, facilitating assembly and reducing material fatigue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle shielding device is made longer to provide better protection, then protection effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in one-hand use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the length parameter of the needle shielding device to an optimized value that provides sufficient protection while maintaining ease of one-hand operation. The shield length is specifically designed to cover the needle tip and essential areas without extending excessively, balancing protection needs with operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic mechanisms with tensions are used to activate the needle protective shield, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex automatic tension mechanisms and snipping mechanisms from the device. Instead, it employs a simple manual activation system where the user directly manipulates the needle shielding device to engage the needle protection clip, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle protection clip is designed to be self-activating through direct user manipulation. The user manually engages the clip with the catheter hub without requiring complex automatic mechanisms, making the system simpler while still providing easy operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If poorly tuned tensions are used in automatic mechanisms, then ease of operation may be improved, but reliability deteriorates due to discomfort and fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcomfort and fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By removing automatic tension mechanisms entirely, the patent eliminates the problem of poorly tuned tensions causing discomfort and fatigue. The manual activation system allows the user to control the engagement force directly, ensuring comfortable and reliable operation without relying on pre-set tension parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4178657B1A catheter instrument comprising a catheter assembly having a catheter hub, comprising a high pressure clip, and a needle shielding device. a method for assembling such a catheter instrument
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 VIGMED
  • EP4178657B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4178657B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4178657B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The present invention discloses a catheter instrument extending in a proximodistal direction along a centre axis (A). The catheter instrument (1000) comprises a catheter assembly (500) having a catheter hub (501) with a distal end (514), comprising a high pressure clip (600) provided with an engagement socket (630), and a needle shielding device (100) having a proximal end (112) comprising a needle protection clip (200) having a proximal engagement portion (235). The proximal engagement portion (235) engages the socket (630) when the catheter assembly (500) and the needle shielding device (100) are connected to each other. Further, the present invention relates to a method for assembling such a catheter instrument, a high pressure clip and a catheter hub.