Dialysis Circuit Priming Device with Needle Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for attaching needles after cleaning and priming of a blood circuit are labor-intensive, increase the risk of needle penetration accidents, and pose infection risks for medical staff.
Innovation Solution
A dialysis circuit priming device featuring a needle cap with two needle connecting parts and a flow path, including a weak part and optional features like a film for sealing, threaded parts for secure attachment, and a locking mechanism for infusion stands, to facilitate safe and convenient needle attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning and priming of blood circuit is performed by medical staff, then the circuit can be properly cleaned and primed, but the workload burden on medical staff increases and the risk of needle penetration accidents and infections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service priming where the blood circuit priming device automatically fills the circuit with priming solution through its own internal reservoir and pump system, eliminating the need for manual connection to external saline bags and reducing medical staff workload while maintaining proper priming function
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the priming function from the main dialysis circuit by providing a dedicated priming device with separate reservoir and flow path, allowing independent priming operation that reduces complexity and safety risks of the overall system
2Reliability
If two routes of arterial side and venous side are connected to create closed circuit for automatic priming, then cleaning is improved, but separation and reconnection of needles is required which increases safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a needle cap as an intermediary component that temporarily holds both arterial and venous needles in a protected state, allowing the circuit to be primed through the cap without requiring direct exposure or separation of needle connections, thus eliminating needle penetration risks while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary priming of the blood circuit through the needle cap before actual patient connection, ensuring the circuit is fully flushed and air-free in advance, which eliminates the need for post-priming needle manipulation and reduces safety risks
3Ease of operation
If conventional manual priming method is used, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but the risk of infections and needle accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a flexible membrane that seals the needle cap flow path, providing a barrier that prevents contamination while allowing controlled fluid passage, thus maintaining operational flexibility through the membrane's elasticity while eliminating infection risks through its protective sealing function
Solution Approach 2:
The needle cap with its integrated membrane is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination and infection that can occur with reusable manual priming equipment, while maintaining operational simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
A needle cap and a dialysis circuit priming device with increased safety and convenience in the cleaning and priming of a blood circuit are provided. According to the present invention, a needle cap is provided including two needle connecting parts, and a flow path connecting the two needle connecting parts. A dialysis circuit priming device is also provided including two needles, two needle connecting parts each arranged with the two needles respectively, and a flow path for connecting the two needle connecting parts.