Intraosseous Driver Force-Activated Lockout Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current powered drivers for inserting intraosseous devices into patients' bones lack efficient mechanisms for activation and safety features, particularly during sterilization and emergency medical situations, where rapid and reliable vascular access is crucial.
Innovation Solution
The development of powered drivers equipped with a motor, gearbox, and battery system that activates upon a threshold force, featuring a mechanical and electrical lockout mechanism to prevent accidental activation, allowing for safe and efficient insertion of intraosseous devices into various bone sites, including a unique handle design and single-use configurations for enhanced safety and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a powered driver is equipped with motor, gearbox, and battery system for efficient intraosseous device insertion, then the insertion speed and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and risk of accidental activation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The driver assembly is pre-loaded into the housing before sterilization, with the motor, gearbox, and battery already in position. The electrical circuit remains open during packaging and sterilization, preventing accidental activation. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex assembly procedures in the field while maintaining safety during storage and sterilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
A switch assembly acts as an intermediary between the driveshaft and the electrical circuit. The switch includes a movable component that must be displaced by a specific threshold distance to close the circuit and activate the motor. This intermediary mechanism ensures that only sufficient force applied during actual intraosseous insertion can activate the driver, preventing accidental activation during handling or sterilization.
2Reliability
If a threshold force mechanism is implemented to activate the motor, then accidental activation during sterilization is prevented, but the ease of operation may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly is designed with a specific displacement threshold that corresponds to the force required during legitimate intraosseous insertion. This threshold parameter is calibrated to be high enough to prevent accidental activation during sterilization and handling, but low enough to be overcome by the force naturally applied during proper device insertion into bone. The spring-loaded mechanism provides tactile feedback to confirm activation.
3Extent of automation
If the driveshaft and gearbox are designed to slide toward the proximal end upon force application, then the electrical circuit closes to activate the motor, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly is integrated with the driveshaft and gearbox assembly, combining the activation mechanism with the existing mechanical components. The switch's movable component is positioned to be displaced by the natural sliding motion of the driveshaft and gearbox when force is applied during insertion. This merging eliminates the need for separate activation mechanisms while maintaining automatic motor activation functionality.
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
Enables rapid and safe insertion of intraosseous devices into patients' bones, providing reliable vascular access for emergency situations and chronic conditions, with enhanced safety features preventing accidental activation during sterilization and handling.
Implementation Method 1
the driveshaft is biased in the direction of the distal end of the housing (e.g., by a spring disposed between the gearbox and the distal end of the housing)
Implementation Method 2
a battery configured to power the motor
Implementation Method 3
a motor disposed in the housing; a gearbox coupled to the motor and to the driveshaft such that activation of the motor will cause rotation of the driveshaft
Data Source
AI summary
Powered drivers operable to insert an intraosseous device into a bone are disclosed. Some of the present powered drivers include a housing having a distal end and a proximal end. A driveshaft may be located near the distal end of the housing and configured to engage a portion of the intraosseous device. A motor may be disposed in the housing and operable to rotate the driveshaft. A power source may be disposed within the housing and configured to power the motor. The powered drivers may include a lockout operable to prevent activation of the driver for increased safety when handling the driver.