Intravascular Catheter Insertion Device Vacuum Seal Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty in properly inserting a catheter into a vein or artery due to the challenge of locating the correct site and applying appropriate pressure, which often requires years of practice and can be stressful and painful for patients, especially under unstable conditions.
Innovation Solution
A catheter insertion device utilizing a single spring and two seals, where the spring propels a plunger to insert the catheter once a vein or artery is pierced, preventing simultaneous piercing on both sides and simplifying the insertion process by creating a vacuum chamber that breaks when the needle enters the tissue, allowing the catheter to be inserted automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual catheter insertion is performed by medical professionals, then the procedure can be completed, but it requires years of practice and skill to achieve consistent success, especially under stress or unstable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs the insertion function automatically through a spring-driven plunger mechanism that propels the catheter into the vein once the vacuum seal is broken, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and years of practice to achieve consistent results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical skill-based insertion process with an automated spring-driven mechanical system that uses vacuum seal detection to trigger automatic catheter deployment, converting operator skill requirements into a self-actuating mechanical response
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual catheter insertion is performed, then the procedure can be completed, but it causes significant discomfort and pain to the patient, especially when multiple attempts are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects vein penetration through vacuum seal breakdown and triggers immediate catheter deployment, eliminating the need for repeated manual attempts that cause patient discomfort and pain
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses vacuum seal detection as a feedback mechanism to determine when the needle has successfully entered the vein, triggering automatic catheter insertion and eliminating the guesswork and multiple attempts associated with manual insertion
3Extent of automation
If a vacuum seal mechanism is used to detect vein penetration, then automatic catheter insertion can be achieved, but the device requires multiple components including springs and seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum seal detection mechanism and the catheter propulsion system into a single integrated device where the spring serves dual purposes of creating vacuum and driving catheter insertion, reducing overall component count while maintaining automation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring component performs multiple functions: creating the vacuum seal during insertion and subsequently driving the catheter forward when the seal breaks, eliminating the need for separate actuation mechanisms and reducing device complexity
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
This solution significantly increases the success rate of catheter insertion, reduces patient discomfort, and simplifies the process for medical professionals by minimizing the need for skill and guesswork, while also reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (48) disposed concentric with and over at least a second portion of the hollow needle, the compression spring mechanically engaged directly and/or indirectly between at least a portion of the needle base and a portion of the plunger, the compression spring biasing the plunger away from the needle base
Implementation Method 2
an expandable chamber (34) in fluidic and/or pneumatic communication with the channel of the hollow needle, the expandable chamber configured to increase in volume as the plunger moves towards the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter insertion device includes a hollow needle attached to a needle base. A compression spring mechanically biases the needle base away from a plunger. A catheter is configured to be contactable by the plunger when the plunger moves in a forward direction. An expandable chamber is in fluidic and/or pneumatic communication with the hollow needle. The plunger inserts the catheter when a vacuum formed in the expandable chamber by the compression spring pushing the plunger away from the needle base is released by a fluid and/or a gas entering the hollow needle at a distal skin-piercing end as it punctures a vein or artery. A generally hollow housing includes an annularly-shaped seal relief formed as an inside surface where in a stored position a second circumferential seal captured by the plunger is not in contact with the inside surface of the generally hollow housing.