Curved Tip Needle Geometry for Vein Wall Protection
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter insertion devices face challenges in accurately placing catheters in veins without damaging the inner surface, leading to increased pain, discomfort, and risk of thrombosis.
Innovation Solution
A needle with a distal tip geometry that inhibits transfixion by allowing the curved surface to contact the inner vein wall instead of the sharp tip, reducing the risk of damage during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sharp needle tip is used to pierce the skin and vein with minimal resistance, then penetration ease is improved, but the risk of piercing or damaging the inner surface of the vein increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle tip is designed with a curved surface instead of a sharp point. This curved surface allows the needle to contact the inner vein wall with a broader, rounded surface area, distributing the contact force and preventing penetration damage to the vein inner surface while still enabling effective skin and vein wall piercing.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle incorporates different surface characteristics at different locations: the outer surface maintains sharpness for effective piercing, while the inner surface features a curved, non-piercing geometry that contacts the vein wall gently. This local differentiation allows the needle to simultaneously achieve easy penetration and prevent vein damage.
2Ease of operation
If a steep inclined angle is used for initial penetration, then skin and vein piercing is facilitated, but the needle may transfix the vein wall at the opposite side
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface geometry of the needle tip naturally guides the needle trajectory during insertion. As the needle penetrates at a steep angle, the curved surface contacts the vein wall and redirects the needle path, preventing excessive penetration and transfexion of the opposite vein wall while maintaining effective initial piercing capability.
3Measurement precision
If repeated insertion attempts are made to achieve proper catheter placement, then placement accuracy may be improved, but the incidence of vein damage and thrombosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface needle tip performs a preliminary protective action by contacting the vein wall with a non-piercing surface during insertion. This prevents initial damage that would require repeated attempts, allowing proper catheter placement to be achieved in a single attempt without causing vein damage or thrombosis risk from multiple insertions.
Data Source
AI summary
A needle is provided that can be used for introducing or aspirating fluids to a patient or as an introducer needle for positioning and inserting a catheter, such as a peripheral IV catheter into a patient. The needle can be an introducer needle that extends from the distal end of the catheter during insertion. The needle has an insertion tip with a configuration to assist penetration into a vein with a reduced incidence of injuring the inner surface of the vein or inadvertently passing through side wall of the vein. The needle tip can be farmed with a curved distal end surface where the pointed tip is spaced radially inward relative to the outer surface of the needle. In another embodiment the needle tip can have a reverse beveled surface having an axial length, angle, and curvature to assist in penetrating the vein with a reduced incidence of transfixing the vein.