Subcutaneous Injection System with Pressure Monitoring and Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for subcutaneous injections, particularly in epidural and peripheral nerve blocks, face challenges in accurately placing needles within fluid-filled spaces due to limited visual feedback and pressure monitoring inaccuracies, leading to potential damage to the spinal cord and nerve structures.
Innovation Solution
A system that provides continuous pressure monitoring and visual feedback at the injection site, using a hand-piece with a marked needle and LED light or display screen to guide precise needle placement, and incorporates electrical stimulation to differentiate between intra- and extra-fascicular locations, ensuring accurate tissue targeting and preventing excessive pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous pressure monitoring is implemented during needle insertion, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is integrated within the hub assembly, which itself is part of the injection device. This nested configuration allows the pressure monitoring system to be embedded within existing structural components rather than adding separate external monitoring equipment, thereby improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the hub assembly: it serves as both the mechanical connection point for the needle and syringe, and as the housing for the pressure sensor. This merging of structural and sensing functions allows pressure monitoring to be implemented without requiring a completely separate monitoring system, thus improving measurement capability while controlling device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If visual feedback system with LED and display is added to guide needle placement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds visual feedback in the form of LED lights and display screens that provide information about needle placement in a different dimension (visual information space) rather than requiring physical adjustment mechanisms. This allows the system to achieve improved needle placement accuracy through informational guidance rather than mechanical precision, thereby improving manufacturing precision outcomes while adding relatively minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual feedback system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the needle placement process. Rather than requiring direct mechanical precision in the needle guide, the system uses visual cues (LEDs, display) as a mediator to guide the operator's hand movements, thereby achieving improved placement accuracy through human-machine interaction rather than purely mechanical means.
3Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation is used to differentiate intra- and extra-fascicular locations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical stimulation system utilizes the body's own physiological response (muscle twitch or sensation) as feedback to indicate successful nerve block placement. Rather than requiring complex external sensing equipment to detect placement accuracy, the system uses the patient's own nervous system response as a self-indicating signal, thereby improving measurement precision through biological feedback while minimizing the complexity of external monitoring equipment.
4Reliability
If pressure monitoring is implemented during needle insertion, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to continuous monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor provides continuous real-time feedback during needle insertion, allowing the operator to immediately detect when the needle enters the epidural space (indicated by a characteristic pressure change). This continuous feedback loop improves reliability by enabling immediate detection of correct placement while actually reducing total procedure time compared to methods requiring repeated aspiration tests or other intermittent checking methods.
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
Enhances the safety and accuracy of subcutaneous injections by maintaining visual focus on the injection site, reducing the risk of spinal cord or nerve damage, and ensuring precise placement within fluid-filled spaces.
Implementation Method 1
A hand-piece 300 is provided with a marked needle 340 and LED light or display screen to provide visual feedback
Implementation Method 2
incorporates electrical stimulation to differentiate between intra- and extra-fascicular locations
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (5, 405) for infusing medication into a subject is provided. The system (5, 405) includes an injection system (50, 450) for controlling fluid flow from a fluid reservoir to a needle. A sensor (20) detects a characteristic indicative of fluid pressure in the needle. The injection system (50, 450) controls the flow of fluid to the needle in response to the characteristic detected by the sensor (20), which continuously detects the characteristic as the needle is inserted into the subject. The system may include a light assembly (100) connected with the injection system. The light assembly (100) may provide a continuously variable signal indicative of the fluid pressure in the needle. The system (5, 405) may further provide a mechanism that provides cues to the operator to insert the needle at a particular rate. The system may further include a conductive element (334) for providing electric nerve stimulation.