Guide Wire Feed Wheel for One-Handed Catheter Introduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter introduction sets require two hands for operation, making it difficult to visualize guide wire placement during insertion, and lack features for accurate directional guidance and stabilization, especially for peripheral veins and arteries, which can lead to incorrect placement and increased infection risk due to non-sterile procedures.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed introducer apparatus with a wheel mechanism for advancing the guide wire and catheter, a UV-visible catheter for confirmation, a pre-sterilized probe cover, and a kit including a directional needle cover and ergonomic stabilization, ensuring accurate and efficient placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional catheter introduction set is used, then the catheter can be introduced into the blood vessel, but two hands are required for operation, making it difficult to visualize guide wire placement under ultrasound
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a needle assembly, a catheter assembly, and a guide wire feed mechanism. This segmentation allows one hand to hold and operate the needle/catheter while the other hand can feed the guide wire, enabling ultrasound visualization of guide wire placement without compromising operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
A guide wire is introduced as an intermediary element that facilitates catheter placement. The guide wire can be visualized under ultrasound to confirm proper placement in the vessel lumen, serving as a mediator between the operator and the catheter insertion process
2Measurement precision
If directional markings are not used, then the procedure is simpler, but the physician can become disoriented to the longitudinal direction of the catheter
Solution Approach 1:
The needle hub incorporates color-coded directional markers that visually indicate the longitudinal direction of the catheter. These color changes provide intuitive orientation cues to the physician, preventing disorientation without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems
Solution Approach 2:
Directional markers are pre-marked on the needle hub and catheter assembly before the procedure begins. This preliminary marking allows the physician to quickly identify the correct orientation without needing to interpret complex real-time feedback during the procedure
3Reliability
If the body part is not stabilized, then the procedure is more flexible, but stable position is essential for both placement of the catheter and comfort of the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization means is integrated into the needle hub assembly, merging the stabilization function with the catheter introduction device. This combination provides reliable body part stabilization for accurate catheter placement without requiring separate, complex stabilization equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The needle hub incorporates self-stabilizing features such as ergonomic grips and positioning elements that automatically stabilize the needle and catheter during insertion. This self-service stabilization reduces the need for additional external stabilization devices while maintaining placement accuracy
4Reliability
If a non-sterile procedure is used, then the setup is simpler, but the risk of infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is nested within a sterile introducer needle assembly that can be pre-packaged in a sterile container. This nested structure allows the catheter to be introduced through the needle while maintaining sterility, as the needle acts as a protective barrier that can be sterilized independently of the catheter
Solution Approach 2:
The needle and catheter assembly can be pre-sterilized and packaged in a sterile container before the procedure. This preliminary sterilization action ensures that the components are sterile when introduced into the patient, reducing infection risk without requiring complex sterilization equipment during the procedure
Data Source
AI summary
A deep vein intravenous introducer has a wheel located toward the front end of the device that can be rotated by the index finger of the user. After placement of the needle in the lumen of the vessel, the user rotates the wheel, which turns a drive wheel. The drive wheel has an outer surface that advances the guide wire through the center of the needle and into the patient. Once the guide wire is advanced into the vessel lumen the catheter can be advanced over the guide wire with a hub or finger tab on the catheter close to the index finger. The operation can be performed by one hand without moving the hand from its initial position.