Intravenous Catheter Safety Device with Spring-Actuated Tip Blocker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for intravenous catheter needles often hinder fluid flow, have a high risk of blood exposure, and fail to securely lock the needle tip, posing risks to medical professionals and waste handlers during disposal.
Innovation Solution
A safety device is positioned between the wing housing and needle hub, featuring a tip-blocker mechanism activated by spring pressure to lock the needle tip, preventing both forward and backward movement, and detaching with slight force to allow safe disposal without obstructing fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retaining ring is placed inside the intravenous catheter apparatus to hold the needle guard, then the needle tip can be covered, but the retaining ring hinders flow of solutions through it
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is extracted from the internal structure of the catheter apparatus and positioned externally between the wing housing and needle hub. This eliminates the retaining ring that was previously required inside the catheter, thereby removing the obstruction to fluid flow while still providing needle tip coverage through the external safety device structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a needle guard is used to cover the needle tip, then accidental pricking can be prevented, but the guard jaws may open exposing the needle tip
Solution Approach 1:
The tip-blocker is pre-positioned within the safety device in a ready state. When the needle is withdrawn, the spring automatically activates the tip-blocker to cover the needle tip before any potential exposure can occur. This preliminary positioning and automatic activation ensure reliable coverage without requiring manual intervention or complex locking mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If a small needle guard is used, then the device size is reduced, but blood on or near the needle tip may surface out of the needle guard
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device extends beyond a simple circular guard to include a longitudinal structure that covers the needle tip and surrounding area. The tip-blocker provides additional dimensional coverage by protruding to block the needle tip from multiple angles, preventing blood from surfacing out while maintaining a compact overall device size.
4Reliability
If the safety device remains inside the main body of the catheter apparatus, then the needle can be covered, but there remains a strong probability of blood coming out of the safety device
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is extracted from the internal main body of the catheter apparatus and repositioned externally between the wing housing and needle hub. This external positioning allows the safety device to cover the needle tip more effectively without being constrained by the limited space inside the main body, thereby reducing the probability of blood coming out while maintaining reliable needle tip coverage.
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 securely covers the needle tip from all sides, preventing accidental exposure and ensuring safe disposal without interfering with the catheter's operation or fluid flow, addressing the limitations of prior art by providing complete locking and easy detachment.
Implementation Method 1
the tip-blocker is forced downward, due to the pressure of the spring, in front of the needle tip
Data Source
AI summary
A safety device for the needle of intravenous catheter apparatus comprising of a tip blocker which blocks the needle tip, a spring assembled in compressed state held by a disc inside the groove of the tip blocker which pushes the tip blocker downwards and a bush fitted in the needle passageway which does not allow the needle to come out of the safety device. The safety device is capable of locking inside it and covering the needle tip so that the needle of intravenous catheter apparatus can be disposed of safely.