IV Catheter Tip Protector for Passive Needle-Tip Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter insertion devices face challenges in smoothly and safely releasing the catheter from the needle cannula, increasing the risk of inadvertent needle sticks.
Innovation Solution
A safety catheter insertion assembly with a passive release mechanism featuring a safety clip that transitions between positions to securely capture the needle tip after withdrawal, ensuring smooth catheter release and preventing needle sticks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional catheter insertion device is used, then the catheter can be inserted into the patient's vein, but the risk of inadvertent needle sticks increases during catheter release
Solution Approach 1:
The safety clip is pre-configured with guard arms and retention tabs that are ready to engage the needle cannula. Before the needle is withdrawn, the clip is positioned to receive the needle tip, ensuring that as soon as the needle is pulled back, the tip is immediately captured and contained, preventing inadvertent sticks during the release process
Solution Approach 2:
The safety clip acts as an intermediary device between the needle cannula and the catheter hub. It provides a mechanical interface that guides the needle tip into a contained position and maintains that position during catheter release, mediating the interaction between the sharp needle and the surrounding components to prevent accidental sticks
2Ease of operation
If the needle cannula is withdrawn from the catheter, then the catheter can be advanced further into the vein, but the needle tip may become exposed causing needle stick risk
Solution Approach 1:
The safety clip is designed to nest within the catheter hub structure, with the needle cannula passing through the clip which in turn is contained within the hub. As the needle is withdrawn, the clip's guard arms close around the needle tip, nesting the sharp tip within a protective structure that prevents exposure while allowing the catheter to be advanced independently
3Reliability
If a tip protector clip is used to shield the needle tip, then needle stick risk is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: guard arms for containment, retention tabs for securing, and a modular clip structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity, as the guard arms can be simple elastic elements and the retention tabs can be discrete features that engage with corresponding structures on the needle and hub
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A passive safety catheter assembly configured to inhibit access to the distal tip of a needle cannula prior to release of a catheter insertion assembly from a catheter hub. The passive safety catheter assembly includes a safety clip assembly configured to transition between a first position in which the safety clip assembly selectively couples the catheter insertion assembly to the catheter hub, and a second position in which the safety clip assembly traps the sharp distal tip of the needle cannula within the safety clip assembly prior to release of the coupling between the catheter insertion assembly and the catheter hub.