Flashback Blood Collection Needle With Internal Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current venipuncture devices lack an immediate indication of successful vein entry, leading to repetitive procedures and increased patient discomfort and costs due to the delay between vein entry and flashback indication.
Innovation Solution
A needle assembly with a clear housing and internal vent mechanism that allows blood to flow directly into a flashback chamber for immediate visualization of vein entry, featuring a porous vent with a blocking member to control fluid flow and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional needle assembly with a see-through chamber is used, then the device structure is simple, but there is a delay between vein entry and flashback indication causing phlebotomists to erroneously believe satisfactory vein entry has not been achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The housing interior is segmented into a first chamber (for blood collection) and a second chamber (for air venting) by a porous vent. This segmentation allows blood to flow directly into the flashback chamber for immediate visualization while air is vented through the porous vent, eliminating the delay between vein entry and flashback indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous vent acts as an intermediary element that selectively allows air to pass through while preventing blood from leaking. It mediates between the need for immediate flashback indication and the need to maintain proper fluid flow dynamics, enabling blood to flow directly into the visualization chamber without the delay previously experienced.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a porous vent is added to control fluid flow, then blood leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A porous vent is positioned within the housing interior to separate the housing interior into a first chamber and a second chamber. The porous vent includes pores for passage of air therethrough from the first chamber to the second chamber, allowing controlled fluid flow while preventing blood leakage. The porous structure provides selective permeability that blocks blood cells while allowing air passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent mechanism combines porous material properties with a blocking member to create a composite structure that simultaneously achieves flow control and leakage prevention. The blocking member is positioned within the porous vent to enhance the sealing effect while maintaining the porous structure's ability to filter and control fluid passage.
3Ease of operation
If a blocking member is positioned within the porous vent, then fluid flow control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is segmented into a structure that fits within the porous vent, allowing it to be positioned precisely to control fluid flow paths. This segmentation enables the blocking member to be manufactured separately and then integrated into the porous vent structure, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining effective flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member serves as an intermediary element within the porous vent, mediating between the need for precise fluid flow control and the need for ease of manufacture. By positioning the blocking member within the porous vent structure, it acts as a removable or adjustable component that can be manufactured using standard techniques and then integrated into the final assembly.
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
Provides an immediate visual confirmation of vein entry, reducing unnecessary procedures and costs by ensuring accurate vein entry detection and preventing blood leakage after needle removal.
Implementation Method 1
a porous vent positioned within the housing interior separating the housing interior into a first chamber and a second chamber, the porous vent including pores for passage of fluid therethrough from the first chamber to the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
the porous vent includes a blocking member to control flow of the fluid such that the fluid flows in a radial direction through the porous vent
Data Source
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AI summary
A needle assembly includes a transparent or translucent housing with a fluid inlet and outlet end, a flashback chamber, and a venting mechanism therebetween. The venting mechanism includes a blocking member to control the fluid flow in the venting mechanism so that it flows along the longest path through the vent. Substantially axially aligned inlet and outlet cannulas extend from the housing and communicate with the chamber. A sealable sleeve covers the external end of the outlet cannula. Relative volumes of the cannulas, the chamber, and the sleeve are selected to provide rapid reliable flashback indicative of venous entry with an internal vent positioned within the housing to divide the interior into first and second chambers, with the second chamber being adapted to maintain a negative pressure therein relative to the external environment so as to inhibit leakage of blood from the needle tip on withdrawal from the patient.