Composite Catheter Needle for Flashback Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cannulation systems face challenges in visualizing primary flashback due to the need for additional processing steps and potential blood exposure when using notched metal needles, which complicate manufacturing and increase discomfort for patients.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a needle tip made from a rigid material, such as metal, and a shaft made from a light-permeable material, like plastic, allowing for visible detection of primary flashback without the need for notches, and enabling easier fabrication and reduced patient discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If notched metal needles are used to enable visualization of primary flashback, then flashback detection is improved, but manufacturing complexity and processing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is constructed as a composite structure with a metal needle tip (first material) providing rigidity and sharpness, and a plastic needle shaft (second material) providing light permeability for flashback visualization. This composite construction eliminates the need for notching while achieving both penetration effectiveness and visual detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the needle have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the needle tip uses rigid metal for effective puncture, while the needle shaft uses light-permeable plastic for flashback visualization. This local differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between detection capability and manufacturing complexity.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If notched metal needles are used for flashback visualization, then primary flashback can be observed, but blood exposure risk increases upon needle withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The light-permeable plastic needle shaft allows visualization of primary flashback without creating open notches that would cause blood exposure. The solid structure of the plastic shaft maintains needle integrity while enabling optical detection of blood flow, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of blood exposure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If metal needles are used for low penetration force, then patient discomfort is reduced, but flashback visualization requires additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into two separate components manufactured from different materials: a metal needle tip for low penetration force and patient comfort, and a plastic needle shaft for light permeability and simplified manufacturing. The components are subsequently assembled, combining the advantages of both materials without requiring complex processing of metal.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining metal and plastic materials in a single needle structure, the invention achieves both low penetration force (from the metal tip) and simplified manufacturing (from the molded plastic shaft), eliminating the need for additional processing steps required for notched metal needles.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If light-permeable material is used for the needle shaft, then primary flashback visualization is enabled, but needle rigidity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite construction with metal tip and plastic shaft optimizes the rigidity-strength balance: the metal tip provides sufficient rigidity for accurate insertion, while the plastic shaft provides adequate structural integrity for flashback visualization. The assembly achieves both optical permeability and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Rigidity is concentrated where most needed (at the needle tip for puncture accuracy) using metal, while the shaft portion uses lighter plastic material optimized for light transmission. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between rigidity and light permeability.
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 solution allows for effective visualization of primary flashback while reducing manufacturing complexity and patient discomfort, maintaining low penetration force and facilitating cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
the second material is a light permeable material to enable visible detection of primary flashback in the needle shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A needle assembly (1400), such as a catheter assembly, having a needle shaft (12) with a needle tip (14) formed from a first rigid material for puncturing a subject. The shaft section (12), proximal of the needle tip (14) can be formed from a second material different from the first material. The needle tip (14) is attached to the needle shaft (12) to form the needle (10). The first material can have higher rigidity than the second material and the needle (10) can project through a catheter tube (18) and used in a catheter assembly.