Asymmetrical Gripping Surface on Catheter Needle Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing catheter assemblies for over-the-needle peripheral IV catheters often result in a premature separation of components during insertion, leading to an 'over the bevel' condition, which is painful and disruptive, due to the user's need to reposition their grip for increased stability and control.
Innovation Solution
A new gripping surface is integrated onto the needle shield, providing opposing surfaces that allow a 'choked up' grip without causing premature separation, by simultaneously contacting the needle shield and hub with the thumb and index finger, and including guard surfaces to prevent unintended contact with other components, thus maintaining balance and control during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user repositions their grip to a 'choked up' position nearer the catheter and needle tip for increased stability and control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to premature separation of components
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter assembly is divided into distinct components (needle hub, needle shield, catheter) with defined interfaces. The wing portion of the needle hub and the needle shield are separate elements that can be independently positioned and engaged, allowing the user to grip the assembly at multiple locations without causing component separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield acts as an intermediary component between the needle hub and the external environment. It provides a stable gripping surface that mediates the user's control inputs while protecting the needle hub-catheter interface from unintended separation forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the user's grip is repositioned closer to the catheter and needle tip, then the stability during insertion is improved, but the risk of 'over the bevel' condition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is pre-positioned to extend beyond the needle hub in a direction away from the catheter, creating a predetermined stable gripping surface. This preliminary configuration allows the user to position their grip optimally before insertion begins, establishing stability while preventing the harmful 'over the bevel' condition through the shield's geometric constraints.
3Device complexity
If traditional gripping surfaces are used on the needle hub, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must grip farther from the insertion point
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield serves multiple functions: it protects the needle hub and catheter interface, provides a stable gripping surface for improved control, and prevents unintended separation of components. By integrating these functions into a single component, the design achieves enhanced ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An asymmetrical gripping surface (28) is incorporated into a needle shield (14) of an intravenous catheter assembly (10). The asymmetrical gripping surface provides a gripping position nearer the catheter adapter (16), catheter (48) and needle tip (52) for improved balance and control of the catheter assembly during insertion of the catheter. Additionally, the asymmetrical gripping surfaces include a guard feature (76) to prevent a user' s unintended contact with various components of the catheter assembly whereby the contact may result in an undesirable 'over the bevel' condition.