Catheter Insert Reduces Blood Exposure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intravenous catheter insertion and blood sampling processes involve risks of blood exposure and contamination due to the need for flushing adapters and replacing needleless connectors, which can lead to increased operational steps and hemolysis from non-smooth pathways.

Innovation Solution

An insert for a catheter system with a distal male port and proximal female port, featuring an elongated tubular and tapered portion, reduces blood exposure by allowing blood to flow through the insert, thereby minimizing contact with adapters and needleless connectors, and includes a septum for sealing and a method for blood sampling that bypasses these components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adapters and needleless connectors are used for blood sampling, then blood collection can be performed, but blood exposure and contamination risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood collection safetyVSAvoidblood exposure and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blood sampling system is divided into separate functional components: the catheter assembly with integrated needleless connector, and a separate adapter that attaches only when needed for blood sampling. This segmentation allows the blood sampling function to be isolated from the main infusion pathway, reducing the risk of contamination and exposure during routine operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adapter serves as an intermediary component that bridges the catheter assembly and blood collection devices. The adapter includes a needleless connector that interfaces with the catheter and provides a controlled pathway for blood sampling, thereby mediating the interaction between the catheter system and external blood collection equipment while minimizing direct exposure risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If adapters and needleless connectors are used for blood sampling, then blood collection can be performed, but operational steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood collection capabilityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needleless connector is integrated directly into the catheter assembly, merging the blood sampling function with the catheter system. This eliminates the need for separate adapter attachments and simplifies the blood sampling process, allowing healthcare providers to perform blood collections more efficiently without additional operational steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter assembly with integrated needleless connector serves multiple functions: it can be used for both fluid infusion and blood sampling through the same device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies operations by allowing a single device to handle different clinical needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If blood travels through non-smooth pathway of needleless connector, then blood sampling is possible, but hemolysis risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood sampling functionVSAvoidhemolysis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The internal surface of the adapter and needleless connector is designed with specific local qualities - smooth, rounded surfaces in the blood flow pathway that minimize turbulence and shear stress on red blood cells. This localized surface optimization prevents hemolysis while maintaining the blood sampling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The blood flow pathway within the adapter and needleless connector features curved, spherical transitions rather than sharp angles or abrupt changes in direction. This spheroidal geometry creates smooth blood flow patterns that reduce mechanical stress on blood cells, thereby preventing hemolysis during the sampling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution reduces blood exposure and contamination risks, simplifies the blood sampling process, and minimizes the risk of hemolysis by directing blood flow through a smooth pathway within the insert, enhancing safety and efficiency during catheter placement and blood collection.

Implementation Method 1

directing blood flow through a smooth pathway within the insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through a smooth pathway:

Implementation Method 2

includes a septum for sealing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS20230301567A1Catheter system insert

Publication Date: 2023.09.28 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

An insert for a catheter system may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a middle portion disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The distal end of the insert may include a male port, and the proximal end of the insert may include a female port opposite the male port. The insert may be configured to extend through an adapter and/or a needleless connector of a catheter system to reduce exposure of the adapter and/or the needleless connector to blood, which may flow through a lumen of the insert. The lumen of the insert may extend through the male port, the middle portion, and the female port.