Curved Needle Assembly with Fixing Bulge for Pneumothorax Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for relieving pneumothorax require medically trained personnel and do not allow for direct and secure patient transport, as straight needles risk puncturing lungs and semi-flexible tubes can be pinched by ribs, providing only temporary relief.
Innovation Solution
A needle assembly with a canula featuring a cutting end, a first curved portion, an intermediate portion, and a fixing bulge to prevent sliding, allowing for secure insertion and stabilization within the thoracic cavity, reducing the risk of injury to internal organs and facilitating transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a straight needle is used to puncture the thoracic cavity wall, then the puncture can be performed easily, but the needle risks puncturing the lung and may slide out during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly incorporates a curved portion that redirects the needle path after penetrating the thoracic cavity wall, causing the needle to follow a curved trajectory that avoids direct contact with the lung while maintaining effective placement in the pleural cavity
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a sharp distal end portion for puncturing, a curved portion for trajectory control, and a proximal portion for stabilization, allowing each segment to perform its specific function optimally
2Device complexity
If a semi-flexible tube is used to relieve pneumothorax, then the procedure can be simplified, but the tube can be pinched by ribs providing only temporary relief
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly has varying properties along its length: the distal end is sharp for penetration, the intermediate portion is curved for trajectory control, and the proximal portion provides stabilization, with each segment having optimized local characteristics for its specific function
Solution Approach 2:
The curved portion of the needle assembly prevents the needle from being pinched by the ribs during patient movement or transport, maintaining continuous and reliable relief of the pneumothorax without temporary interruptions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a blunt end piece protrudes from the trocar tip, then the risk of damaging inner organs is reduced, but the cutting ability at the tip is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The blunt end piece is designed to be retractable, allowing it to be positioned dynamically: retracted during the puncture phase to maintain cutting ability, and protruding after penetration to protect inner organs during insertion and stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The blunt end piece is positioned in advance to protrude from the trocar tip after penetration, preparing the protective function before the needle is fully inserted into the pleural cavity, ensuring organ protection is already in place
Data Source
AI summary
A needle assembly (10) for relieving a pneumothorax and/or a hemothorax, the needle assembly (10) comprising a canula (12), the canula (12) comprising: a distal end portion (20) comprising a cutting end (22) for puncturing a thoracic cavity wall (24), a proximal end portion (14) for removing a fluid or gas from a thoracic cavity (28), a first curved portion (18) between the distal end portion (20) and the proximal end portion (14), an intermediate portion (16) between the first curved portion (18) and the proximal end portion (14), and a first fixing bulge (42) arranged between the first curved portion (18) and the intermediate portion (16), wherein an outer diameter of the canula (12) at the first fixing bulge (42) is increased with respect to the diameter (D1) of the intermediate portion (16), said first fixing bulge (42) being arranged such as to be placed at or close to the inner surface (24) of the thoracic cavity wall (24i), when the canula (12) is inserted for relieving the pneumothorax, such as to prevent or to reduce the risk that the canula (12) inadvertently slides out of its inserted position.