Infusion Device Needle Retraction via Volumetric Chamber Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical infusion devices pose risks of needle stick injuries and contamination due to manual needle removal, lack of pressure-bearing structures to prevent fluid ingress, and exposure to hazardous substances during chemotherapy treatments.
Innovation Solution
A medical infusion device with a chamber that volumetrically expands to retract the needle, featuring a reversibly collapsible sidewall, a pierceable barrier for secure needle withdrawal, and a mechanism to prevent the needle from prying open the barrier, ensuring controlled fluidic force for safe needle removal and preventing fluid ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual needle removal is used, then the device structure is simple, but the risk of needle stick injuries and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by automatically retracting the needle into the chamber before the healthcare professional can be injured. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and automatically activates upon needle penetration, withdrawing the needle without requiring manual intervention at the critical moment of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves itself by using the spring mechanism to automatically retract and secure the needle without requiring two-handed manual operation. The system is self-actuating through the spring's stored energy, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and reducing exposure risk.
2Ease of operation
If manual needle removal is used, then the operation process is simple, but exposure to hazardous substances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by automatically retracting the needle into the chamber before the healthcare professional can be injured. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and automatically activates upon needle penetration, withdrawing the needle without requiring manual intervention at the critical moment of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves itself by using the spring mechanism to automatically retract and secure the needle without requiring two-handed manual operation. The system is self-actuating through the spring's stored energy, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and reducing exposure risk.
3Reliability
If pressure bearing structures are added to prevent fluid ingress, then the sealing reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by automatically retracting the needle into the chamber before the healthcare professional can be injured. The spring mechanism is pre-loaded and automatically activates upon needle penetration, withdrawing the needle without requiring manual intervention at the critical moment of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves itself by using the spring mechanism to automatically retract and secure the needle without requiring two-handed manual operation. The system is self-actuating through the spring's stored energy, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and reducing exposure risk.
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 reduces the risk of needle stick injuries and contamination by securely retracting the needle and preventing fluid ingress, enhancing safety for healthcare professionals and patients during medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The chamber is configured to expand volumetrically to retract the needle
Implementation Method 2
The lower body has a self-sealing barrier that seals after the needle pierces through the barrier
Data Source
AI summary
A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body via a reversibly collapsible sidewall. The upper body has a first channel fluidly coupled to a needle and a second channel fluidly coupled to an interior of the chamber. The chamber transitions from a collapsed state to the expanded state to retract the needle by introducing fluid into the interior of the chamber through the second channel.