Catheter Adapter–Needle Hub Retention During Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravenous catheters often experience premature separation of the needle hub from the catheter adapter during insertion and withdrawal, leading to potential patient discomfort and catheter deformation, which complicates successful placement.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system design featuring a paddle and wing configuration that includes extensions, grooves, and chevron patterns to enhance axial and lateral stability, reducing the likelihood of separation by increasing friction and allowing controlled separation post-insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the needle hub and catheter adapter are designed with simple connection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to premature separation
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter adapter is nested within the needle hub, with the adapter inserted through the needle hub's opening. The flared distal end of the adapter engages with the needle hub's internal features, creating a nested connection that is both simple to assemble and resistant to premature separation during insertion and withdrawal.
2Reliability
If friction between needle hub and catheter adapter is increased, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle hub and catheter adapter incorporate localized friction-enhancing features at specific contact points, such as textured surfaces or engagement ridges, rather than making the entire connection mechanism complex. This allows increased friction and connection stability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the catheter adapter is securely retained in the needle hub, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlled separation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the catheter adapter and needle hub is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The adapter can be firmly retained during insertion through friction and geometric engagement, but allows for controlled separation during withdrawal when force is applied to the hub, transitioning from a stable connected state to a separable state as needed.
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 design ensures stable catheter placement by minimizing separation during insertion and withdrawal, preventing patient discomfort and maintaining catheter integrity, thereby facilitating easy and successful vascular access.
Implementation Method 1
The extension may be disposed within the groove or the slot to reduce axial movement between the catheter adapter and the needle hub
Implementation Method 2
The groove or the slot may be generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the catheter system, and the extension may be configured to move laterally within the groove or the slot but not axially
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter system may include a catheter adapter and a wing extending outwardly from the catheter adapter. The wing may include a groove or slot. The catheter system may include a needle hub and a paddle extending outwardly from the needle hub. The paddle may include an extension disposed within the groove or the slot to reduce axial movement between the catheter adapter and the needle hub, which may be advantageous during insertion of the catheter system into a patient. The extension may be removable from the groove or the slot to allow axial movement between the catheter adapter and the needle hub during removal of the needle hub from the catheter adapter, for example. The paddle and/or the wing may include a shape to reduce axial movement between the catheter adapter and the needle hub, which may also be advantageous during insertion of the catheter system.