Fluid Vessel Insertion Device with Pressure-Actuated Needle Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravenous cannulation often fails due to the lack of tactile feedback and small target zone for needle placement in fluid vessels, leading to incorrect positioning and further puncturing of vessel walls.
Innovation Solution
A fluid vessel insertion device with a puncture member and retraction mechanism that uses fluid pressure to automatically retract the needle once correct placement is achieved, minimizing manual error and vessel damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual needle insertion is used for intravenous cannulation, then the operator can control the insertion process, but the lack of tactile feedback and small target zone lead to incorrect positioning and vessel puncturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluid pressure feedback within the needle to detect vessel puncture. When the needle penetrates the vessel wall, fluid pressure enters the needle's internal chamber, triggering an automatic retraction mechanism. This feedback system compensates for the lack of tactile feedback by providing a measurable physical signal (pressure change) that indicates correct positioning, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing operator control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-correction through automatic needle retraction upon detecting fluid pressure. Once the needle punctures the vessel wall and fluid pressure enters the needle chamber, the pressure differential automatically triggers the retraction mechanism to pull the needle back into the cannula. This self-service function eliminates the need for the operator to rely on tactile feedback, reducing positioning errors while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If the needle remains exposed during insertion, then the operator can guide the needle placement, but unintentional movement causes further puncturing of the vessel wall
Solution Approach 1:
The device prepares the needle in an exposed state for initial insertion and guidance, then automatically performs the protective action of retraction upon detecting fluid pressure. The preliminary exposure allows operator guidance during the critical insertion phase, while the automatic retraction mechanism activates as soon as vessel puncture is detected, preventing further unwanted movement or damage. This sequence ensures both ease of operation during insertion and reliability in protecting the vessel wall afterward.
3Measurement precision
If automatic retraction based on fluid pressure is implemented, then needle positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes fluid pressure (hydraulic principle) as the triggering mechanism for retraction. The needle contains an internal chamber that communicates with the vessel through the needle tip. When the needle punctures the vessel wall, fluid pressure differential causes fluid to enter the chamber, and this pressure change directly actuates the retraction mechanism. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach provides accurate vessel puncture detection while keeping the mechanism relatively simple, as it leverages natural pressure differentials rather than complex sensing electronics.
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
The device enhances the accuracy and reliability of cannula insertion by automatically retracting the needle based on fluid pressure changes, reducing the risk of further puncturing and improving successful cannulation rates.
Implementation Method 1
the retraction mechanism actuates the puncture member between the first and second conditions in response to fluid pressure at the end of the puncture member
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid vessel insertion device (10), typically for medical use, comprises a puncture member (18) arranged for locaton within a sleeve (20), and a retraction mechanism (44, 48, 60) for retracting the puncture member relative to the sleeve. The puncture member (18) is retractable in use between a first condition in which an end (18A) of the puncture member protrudes beyond an end (24) of the sleeve and a second condition in which the end of the puncture member is within the sleeve (20). The retraction mechanism (44, 48, 60) actuates the puncture member between the first and second conditions in response to fluid pressure at the end (18A) of the puncture member. The device may be used during positioning of the sleeve in a desired fluid vessel, such as, for example, during intravenous cannulation.