Ergonomic Needle Grip for Catheter Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clinicians face difficulties when adjusting from inserting ported catheters to straight catheters due to differences in grasping techniques, leading to discomfort and potential errors in placement.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with an ergonomic needle grip featuring a grip plate attached to the needle hub, forming an obtuse angle with the needle's axis, providing a secure and comfortable grip for various insertion techniques, and ensuring visibility of the flashback chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clinician uses a traditional needle hub without an ergonomic grip plate, then the device structure remains simple, but the clinician experiences discomfort and difficulty when adjusting between different catheter insertion techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The needle hub is segmented into functional zones: the grip plate for thumb placement, the side port area for finger placement, and the front edge for additional support. This segmentation allows clinicians to use different grasping techniques (ported catheter method or straight catheter method) depending on their training and preference, resolving the discomfort when adjusting between techniques while maintaining overall structural simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the grip plate is positioned at various angles, then it accommodates different insertion techniques and clinician preferences, but determining the optimal angle becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The grip plate is designed with an asymmetric obtuse angle (greater than 90 degrees) relative to the needle axis, creating distinct thumb and finger placement zones. This asymmetric design naturally guides different grasping techniques without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, providing adaptability while maintaining design simplicity
3Ease of operation
If the grip plate extends radially from the needle hub, then it provides a secure grip surface, but it may obstruct the view of the flashback chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The grip plate extends radially outward from the needle hub in a direction perpendicular to the needle axis, creating a three-dimensional grip surface that protrudes toward the clinician. This dimensional arrangement allows the thumb to grasp the grip plate while the eye remains positioned to view the flashback chamber on the needle hub, resolving both grip security and visibility requirements simultaneously
Data Source
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AI summary
A catheter assembly (10) with an ergonomic needle grip (18) attached to a needle hub (16) having an outer surface, a distal end, and a proximal end comprises a grip plate attached to and extending radially from the outer surface of the needle hub. The grip plate forms an obtuse angle with an axis extending longitudinally along a centerlinc of a needle, wherein the angle is measured from a point on the axis near the proximal end of the needle hub. A flashback chamber of the catheter assembly located near the proximal end of the needle hub is visible when a digit is placed on the grip plate.