Constant-Torque Spring Intraosseous Needle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IO access devices for emergency scenarios are complex and over-engineered, leading to increased design and manufacturing complexity, as well as suboptimal user experience.
Innovation Solution
The development of constant-torque IO access devices featuring a spring assembly with a metal ribbon wound onto an output spool, which winds onto a storage spool with a constant torque, optimizing the rotary action of the IO needle for efficient IO access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a primitive electric motor with infrastructure (batteries, wires, gear trains) is used for IO access drilling, then adequate drilling capability is achieved, but design and manufacturing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the excessive infrastructure components (batteries, wires, gear trains, switches) from the motor system, retaining only the essential drilling function. This is achieved by replacing the complex electric motor with a simpler spring-driven mechanical system that delivers adequate drilling power without the unnecessary infrastructure, directly resolving the contradiction between power adequacy and complexity reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable spring-driven drill mechanism that is designed for single-use or limited-use scenarios. The spring assembly provides sufficient drilling power for the brief IO access procedure (1-2 seconds) and then the entire device is discarded, eliminating the need for complex rechargeable batteries, motor management systems, and durable construction, thereby significantly reducing design and manufacturing complexity.
2Power
If a complex motor infrastructure is used for IO access, then drilling function is achieved, but the device requires monitoring and management by clinical personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-driven mechanism is a passive, self-contained system that requires no activation switches, power management, or monitoring by clinical personnel. The spring automatically provides the necessary torque and rotational motion when engaged with the bone, making the device self-operating and eliminating the burden of managing complex motor infrastructure during emergency procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded and stored in a ready-to-release state before use, with all the energy required for drilling already contained within the spring mechanism. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for power supply setup, motor activation, or ongoing management during the procedure, allowing clinical personnel to simply engage the device and it performs the drilling function autonomously.
3Power
If electric motors with infrastructure are used for IO access, then drilling capability is achieved, but requirements and regulations for disposal increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-driven drill is designed as a disposable device that can be manufactured at low cost and then discarded after a single use. This eliminates all disposal concerns related to batteries, electronic components, and complex motor infrastructure, as the entire device can be disposed of as medical waste without special handling requirements, significantly simplifying compliance with disposal regulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes all components that would complicate disposal (batteries, electronic circuits, motor assemblies) and retains only the essential mechanical drilling components. This extraction of unnecessary infrastructure results in a device that can be disposed of following standard medical waste protocols, eliminating the need for specialized recycling or hazardous waste handling procedures.
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 constant-torque IO access devices significantly reduce design and manufacturing complexity while enhancing user experience by providing efficient and reliable IO access, reducing the need for complex infrastructure and improving clinical readiness.
Implementation Method 1
The compression spring is compressed by a predetermined amount between the back side of the set of drive-shaft teeth and the output spool
Implementation Method 2
The metal ribbon is configured to wind onto a storage spool with a constant torque when the output spool is released
Implementation Method 3
spindles of the output spool and the storage spool are coupled together by at least one elastomeric loop to prevent any timing-related errors
Data Source
AI summary
An intraosseous access device can include a constant-torque spring assembly disposed in a housing, a drive shaft extending from the housing, and an intraosseous needle coupled to the drive shaft configured to provide intraosseous access to a medullary cavity of a patient. A method of using an intraosseous access device can include inserting a distal end of the intraosseous needle through skin at an insertion site of a patient and applying a contacting force to a bone beneath the insertion site with the distal end of the intraosseous needle. The contacting force can initiate a winding of a ribbon of the constant-torque spring assembly from an output spool onto a storage spool, thereby initiating drilling rotation of the intraosseous needle. The method can further include drilling through the bone until the intraosseous needle enters a medullary cavity of the patient.