Catheter Needle Shield Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intravenous catheterization methods pose risks to healthcare workers and patients due to needle stick injuries and trauma during vein access, and there is a need for minimizing fluid or blood leakage and protecting caregivers from used needles.

Innovation Solution

A catheter and needle assembly with a shield assembly that moves from a ready configuration to a safe configuration, where the shield locks with the cannula hub to prevent accidental needle exposure, and a tubing assembly that allows for a larger size differential between the catheter and needle, reducing tissue trauma and pain, and incorporating a one-way blood control valve to minimize leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle is used for vein access, then catheter insertion is enabled, but risk of needle stick injuries and blood exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter insertion successVSAvoidneedle stick injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a needle assembly for puncture, a catheter for fluid delivery, and a shield assembly for safety. The needle and catheter can be separated after insertion, allowing the needle to be safely removed and disposed of while retaining the catheter in place

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A shield assembly acts as an intermediary protective element between the needle and the user. The shield can be positioned to cover the needle tip during insertion and then repositioned or removed safely after the catheter is in place, mediating the transition from a dangerous sharp state to a safe state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a larger needle is used for catheter introduction, then catheter insertion is facilitated, but tissue trauma and patient pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter introduction easeVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The introduction system is segmented into a needle component for initial access and a catheter component for sustained function. This allows optimization of each component independently - the needle can be sized for minimal trauma while the catheter is sized for optimal performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle is extracted from the final configuration after serving its purpose. The needle enables catheter insertion but is then removed, leaving only the catheter in the vessel. This extraction eliminates the harmful sharp element while preserving the beneficial catheter function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the needle is exposed during removal, then catheter manipulation is possible, but caregiver safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter manipulationVSAvoidneedle exposure hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield assembly is pre-positioned to cover the needle tip before removal begins. As the catheter is manipulated and withdrawn, the shield moves with it, maintaining coverage of the sharp needle tip throughout the removal process to prevent accidental sticks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shield serves as a protective intermediary that remains between the caregiver and the needle during manipulation and removal. It allows the catheter to be handled while blocking direct access to the sharp needle tip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a smaller gauge needle is used, then tissue trauma is minimized, but the ability to introduce the catheter is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidcatheter introduction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the puncture function (needle) from the delivery function (catheter). The needle can be very small gauge to minimize trauma, while the catheter size is determined by delivery requirements, not puncture requirements. The needle hub provides structural support that enables this size separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter and needle are separate components, then flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is nested within the needle hub assembly during storage and insertion. The catheter passes through the needle hub and is secured in place, creating a compact integrated unit that simplifies handling while maintaining component flexibility. The shield assembly also nests over the needle-catheter combination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11318286B2Catheter needle assembly with enclosable needle

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 IV ACCESS TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Methods and devices to facilitate positioning of a catheter into a vessel. Devices include axially concentric assemblies of a piercing cannula, a shield and tubing such as a catheter where the shield can be passively or actively locked into position over the cannula tip to prevent inadvertent needle sticks.