Catheter Insertion Device Vacuum Triggered Spring Mechanism
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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, especially under unstable conditions, leading to discomfort and repeated attempts.
Innovation Solution
A catheter insertion device utilizing a single spring and two seals to automatically insert the catheter when the vacuum seal is broken, featuring a plunger that biases towards the needle's distal end, ensuring the catheter is inserted before piercing both sides of the vein or artery, thus simplifying the process and reducing discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual catheter insertion is performed by a technician, then the procedure can be completed with simple equipment, but the success rate is low and requires years of practice and skill
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service by automatically detecting vein penetration through vacuum pressure changes and autonomously advancing the catheter into the vein, eliminating the need for manual skill and judgment. The spring-loaded mechanism self-activates when the vacuum seal is broken, providing consistent, reliable insertion without requiring years of practice.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical skill-based insertion process with an automated mechanical system. The spring-loaded plunger mechanism substitutes for the technician's hand pressure control, and the vacuum pressure detection system substitutes for the technician's visual and tactile assessment of vein penetration.
2Ease of operation
If a technician applies pressure to insert the catheter, then the catheter can be inserted into the vein, but it is difficult to know how much pressure to apply due to varying body tissue density
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates feedback through the vacuum pressure detection system. When the needle pierces the vein wall, blood or fluid enters the expandable chamber, changing the vacuum pressure. This pressure change provides immediate feedback that triggers the spring mechanism to advance the catheter, ensuring consistent and appropriate force is applied regardless of tissue density variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of pressure application from manual, variable pressure to controlled, automatic pressure. The spring mechanism provides consistent force, and the vacuum pressure change parameter serves as the trigger condition, eliminating the variability introduced by different tissue densities and technician skill levels.
3Reliability
If the needle penetrates too deep and pierces both sides of the vein, then the insertion process must be repeated, but this causes significant discomfort and pain to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by pre-loading the spring mechanism and positioning the catheter before the insertion attempt. When the vacuum seal is broken indicating successful vein penetration, the spring is already ready to immediately advance the catheter, preventing over-penetration before the corrective action can be taken.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention rushes through the critical insertion phase by using the spring-loaded mechanism to quickly advance the catheter into the vein immediately upon detecting penetration. This rapid action skips the dangerous window where the needle might otherwise be advanced too far, minimizing the risk of piercing both sides of the vein and reducing patient discomfort.
4Reliability
If multiple insertion attempts are made due to low success rate, then the procedure can eventually succeed, but the procedural time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-service by automatically detecting vein penetration through vacuum pressure changes and autonomously advancing the catheter into the vein, eliminating the need for manual skill and judgment. The spring-loaded mechanism self-activates when the vacuum seal is broken, providing consistent, reliable insertion without requiring years of practice.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical skill-based insertion process with an automated mechanical system. The spring-loaded plunger mechanism substitutes for the technician's hand pressure control, and the vacuum pressure detection system substitutes for the technician's visual and tactile assessment of vein penetration.
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 device significantly increases the success rate of catheter insertion, reducing patient discomfort and procedural time by automating the insertion process with fewer components and a simpler design, making it more reliable and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is mechanically biased between at least a portion of the proximal base end of the hollow needle and a portion of the plunger. The spring biases the plunger towards the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle.
Implementation Method 2
An expandable chamber has a first opening in fluidic or pneumatic communication with the channel of the hollow needle. The expandable chamber is at least partially formed by the proximal base end of the hollow needle and a proximal end of the plunger. The expandable chamber increases in volume as the plunger moves towards the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle.
Data Source
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AI summary
A catheter insertion device has a generally hollow housing having a closed base end opposite an open distal end. A hollow needle defines a channel in fluidic or pneumatic communication between a distal skin-piercing end and the proximal needle end. A plunger is slidably disposed over at least a portion of the hollow needle. The distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle extends through the plunger distal end. An expandable chamber is at least partially formed by the plunger proximal chamber end and at least an inside surface of the closed based end of the generally hollow needle, where the expandable chamber is in fluidic or pneumatic communication with the channel of the hollow needle through the proximal needle end. The expandable chamber is configured to increase in volume as the plunger moves towards the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle.