Catheter Assembly Safety Member Grip Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing catheter assemblies with safety members for preventing erroneous puncture are complex, leading to decreased work efficiency during assembly and a risk of member damage due to the movable safety member configuration, which can be easily disengaged by external forces and pose infection risks when blood-contacting needles are handled.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly design where the safety member is accommodated within a grip, utilizing a dividable grip structure with a first and second member to fix the inner needle hub and ensure the safety member remains undetachable, incorporating a safety movement restricting mechanism to prevent accidental exposure and enhance assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the safety member is made movable to activate erroneous puncture inhibition function, then safety function is improved, but device complexity increases and assembly work efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is divided into a first member and a second member that can be separated in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The safety member is accommodated within the grip structure, with its distal end exposed only when needed. This segmentation allows the safety member to be integrated into the grip assembly without requiring complex independent mechanisms, thereby improving safety while maintaining assembly simplicity.
2Reliability
If the safety member is made movable to cover needle tip, then safety function is improved, but assembly work efficiency decreases and member damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety member is merged with the grip structure, where the grip's first and second members collectively accommodate and protect the safety member. The distal end of the safety member is exposed by separating the first and second members during assembly or operation, eliminating the need for complex independent safety mechanisms and improving both assembly efficiency and needle tip protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If the safety member is continuously accommodated in the grip, then assembly simplicity is improved, but engagement structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is segmented into a first member and a second member that can be separated in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows the safety member to be easily accommodated within the grip structure during assembly, while the separation mechanism provides controlled exposure when needed, avoiding complex engagement structures.
4Ease of operation
If the safety member can be easily disengaged by external force, then operation flexibility is improved, but safety reliability decreases and infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety member is configured to be dynamically exposed by separating the first and second members of the grip in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. During normal operation, the safety member remains accommodated and protected within the assembled grip structure. When operation is needed, the members are separated to expose the distal end of the safety member, providing controlled flexibility while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter assembly includes: an inner and outer needle assembly including: a catheter hub holding the catheter, an inner needle inserted through the catheter and configured to be punctured into a treatment target, an inner needle hub holding the inner needle, and a safety member that is movable together with the catheter hub and configured to advance beyond a needle tip of the inner needle; and a grip that accommodates the inner and outer needle assembly. The grip is configured to accommodate at least a part of the safety member before puncture of the inner needle and until the safety member advances beyond the needle tip, and includes a first member and a second member that are dividable in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the grip.