Humerus-Finder Alignment Guide for Intra-Osseous Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare workers face challenges in safely placing intra-osseous infusion tools due to the risk of infection and dehydration in patients with Ebola Virus Disease, and there is a need for a device that can guide lay-caregivers in fluid resuscitation, especially in resource-limited settings where trained personnel are scarce.
Innovation Solution
A portable alignment guide that uses anatomical landmarks to aid in the precise placement of intra-osseous devices, such as an IO needle, reducing direct contact and risk of disease transmission, and can be easily manufactured and sanitized for use on various patient sizes and in emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If healthcare workers directly place IV lines in dehydrated patients, then fluid resuscitation can be administered, but the risk of infection transmission and needle stick injuries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intraosseous infusion device as an intermediary method between IV line placement and direct patient contact. The device accesses the bone marrow cavity through the iliac crest, providing a safe alternative route for fluid administration that avoids venous needle insertion and reduces infection transmission risk while maintaining effective fluid resuscitation
2Quantity of substance
If multiple IV lines are placed in critically ill Ebola patients, then adequate fluid resuscitation can be maintained, but the complexity of the procedure and risk of complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid administration function from the conventional IV system and relocates it to the intraosseous space. By utilizing the bone marrow cavity as an alternative access route, the device eliminates the need for multiple IV lines while achieving the same fluid resuscitation volume, thereby simplifying the overall treatment protocol
3Object-affected harmful factors
If personal protective equipment is used extensively, then healthcare worker safety is improved, but the availability and supply of PPE becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables healthcare workers to rapidly establish fluid access through the intraosseous route, which requires less extensive PPE preparation and donning time compared to traditional IV placement. The procedure can be performed quickly with minimal direct contact, allowing workers to 'rush through' the safety protocols more efficiently and reduce overall PPE consumption
4Manufacturing precision
If trained medical personnel are deployed for IO device placement, then placement accuracy is improved, but the scarcity of skilled providers in resource-limited settings becomes a barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the intraosseous infusion device with self-aligning features and anatomical landmarks that guide non-specialist providers in achieving accurate placement. The device includes visual cues and structural elements that automatically position the needle over the iliac crest, enabling lay caregivers to perform the procedure with sufficient accuracy without requiring extensive specialized training
Data Source
AI summary
Survival of patients suffering from many infections diarrheal diseases, including Ebola, as well as trauma and post-partum hemorrhage is improved with large-volume, parenteral, fluid replacement. In lieu of IVs, Intra-Osseous (IO) lines are placed with the help of a Humerus-Finder™, a one-piece guide that identifies the humeral head at the shoulder and allows for easy, safe, placement of an IO line. This guide enables healthcare providers and lay-providers to place IO lines and deliver fluids to infected persons without direct contact, limiting risk to providers. The Humerus-Finder™ makes early, potentially life-saving, supportive treatment available where large-volume fluid infusion can save lives and is useful in disaster medicine and emergency medicine when it is not possible to place an IV line rapidly and safely by helping first responders achieve IO access for delivery of fluid resuscitation in a safe, reliable manner.