Flashback Notch Septum Protection in Intravascular Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intravascular devices with flashback notches can cause septum damage and hinder proper retraction and shielding of needles, leading to a disconcerting experience for clinicians during vascular access procedures.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a cannula with a flashback notch that is configured to bypass the septum without causing damage, featuring a notch width and length less than the septum's contact surface, along with a misaligned orientation and notch shield to prevent septum engagement, ensuring smooth retraction and shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flashback notch is provided by removing a portion of the needle's wall, then flashback capability is achieved, but the septum can engage or snag on the distal edge of the notch causing septum damage and improper retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflashback capabilityVSAvoidseptum damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A septum protection feature is introduced as an intermediary element between the flashback notch and the septum. This protection feature prevents the septum from engaging with or snagging on the distal edge of the flashback notch, thereby eliminating septum damage while preserving flashback capability. The protection feature acts as a mediator that resolves the harmful interaction between the notch and septum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the notch is positioned to provide flashback signal, then proper insertion indication is achieved, but the septum engagement prevents proper retraction and shielding of the needle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion verificationVSAvoidneedle retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The septum protection feature serves as an intermediary that allows the flashback notch to maintain its position for accurate insertion verification while preventing the harmful engagement with the septum during retraction. This enables both functions to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the septum provides a fluid tight seal around the needle, then blood exposure prevention is achieved, but the septum can snag on the notch edge causing disconcerting feel to the clinician

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid barrier functionVSAvoidclinician experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The septum protection feature acts as an intermediary that prevents the septum from snagging on the flashback notch edge during needle retraction. This eliminates the disconcerting feel experienced by clinicians while preserving the fluid tight seal function of the septum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8641675B2Systems and methods for preventing septum damage in an intravascular device

Publication Date: 2014.02.04 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

Systems and methods to provide an intravenous device having flashback capabilities and features to permit a flashback notch of an introducer needle to bypass a septum of the device without incurring an undesirable contact between the flashback notch of the introducer needle and a related contact surface of the septum.