IV Patency Checking System With Hub And Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intravenous (IV) devices often experience patency issues during long-term use, leading to complications such as dislodgment, infection, and phlebitis, as existing methods require frequent manipulation and direct connection for patency checks, which can disrupt the IV device's placement and increase the risk of complications.
Innovation Solution
A patency checking system that includes a fluid path coupled to an IV device with a patency port and a plunger, allowing for selective blood draw or saline infusion without direct manipulation, featuring a spring mechanism to prevent accidental draws, a valve for fluid flushing, and optional linear motor and force sensor for automated operation and non-patency detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent manipulation and direct connection are used for patency checks, then patency can be verified, but the risk of dislodgment, infection, and phlebitis increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hub device is introduced as an intermediary component between the IV catheter and the syringe. The hub includes a connection port that couples to the IV catheter and a check valve that controls fluid flow direction. This intermediary allows patency checking without direct manipulation of the catheter itself, reducing the risk of dislodgment and infection while maintaining the ability to verify patency through controlled blood draw or saline infusion.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If IV device remains in blood vessel for long periods, then fewer insertions are needed, but patency may be compromised and complications may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The hub device enables self-service patency checking by allowing clinicians to easily connect syringes to the hub's connection port and perform blood draws or saline infusions without manipulating the IV catheter. The check valve automatically controls fluid flow direction, enabling the system to serve itself for patency verification throughout the extended retention period, thereby maintaining reliability over time.
3Measurement precision
If manual blood draw or saline infusion is used for patency checking, then patency can be assessed, but the process requires direct manipulation of the IV device
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the IV catheter remains in place while the hub device is attached to it, and the syringe is separately connected to the hub. This segmentation allows patency assessment to be performed through the hub and syringe assembly without manipulating the catheter portion that is inserted in the patient's vein, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preserving measurement precision.
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 system enables effective patency assessment and flushing of IV devices without disturbing their placement, reducing the risk of dislodgment, infection, and phlebitis, while allowing for remote operation to maintain IV device integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The syringe may include a spring that biases the plunger in a non-draw state in order to prevent accidental blood draws when the patency checking system is not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
A patency checking system, may include a fluid path to be coupled to an intravenous (IV) device at a distal end of the fluid path; a patency port formed along a length of the fluid path; and a plunger fluidically coupled to the fluid path at the patency port to selectively draw blood into the fluid path to confirm patency of the fluid path.