Magnetized Catheter Adapter and Needle Tip Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices lack effective visualization during the penetration of needles, guidewires, or catheters through skin tissue, particularly for accessing small or deep veins, leading to increased risk of pain and injury due to reliance on tactile sense and variable magnetic field measurements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a combination of permanent magnet elements and magnetizable features in catheter adapter and needle subassemblies, along with magnetometers, to accurately determine the relative position and motion of these components, enhancing visualization through ultrasound guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent magnet is located on the needle hub, then a reliable magnetic field is provided, but the system cannot measure relative motion between the needle hub and catheter adapter subassemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic measurement function is segmented between two separate components: a permanent magnet element on one subassembly and a magnetizable feature on another subassembly. This segmentation allows each component to maintain a stable magnetic field while enabling relative motion detection through the interaction between the two separated magnetic elements.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetizable feature acts as an intermediary element that responds to the magnetic field from the permanent magnet. This intermediary enables the transmission of relative motion information without requiring direct contact or a single integrated magnetic source, allowing the system to detect motion between the needle hub and catheter adapter subassemblies.
2Measurement precision
If the cannula is magnetized prior to insertion, then the actual tip location can be measured, but the method is subject to variability due to reliance on clinician placement
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetizable feature on the cannula automatically responds to the magnetic field from the permanent magnet element during insertion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual magnetization by the clinician, as the magnetizable feature inherently interacts with the permanent magnet's field to provide consistent and reliable tip location measurements throughout the insertion process.
3Loss of information
If ultrasound and magnetic technologies are combined, then visualization of subdermal anatomy and device position is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic elements serve multiple functions: they provide a reliable magnetic field for imaging, enable measurement of relative motion between subassemblies, and facilitate visualization of device position relative to anatomy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while improving information acquisition.
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
This solution provides precise visualization and improved procedural accuracy by calculating the positions of catheter and needle tips relative to each other, facilitating safer and more effective vascular access.
Implementation Method 1
one of the catheter adapter subassembly and the wire subassembly includes a permanent magnet element, and the other of the catheter adapter subassembly and the wire subassembly includes a magnetizable feature to permit measurement of relative motion
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and devices are described including a medical device subassembly including a magnetic feature. Systems include such a catheter adapter subassembly or needle subassembly or guidewire introducer subassembly and a wire including a magnetic feature, and relative movement of the catheter adapter subassembly or needle subassembly or guidewire introducer subassembly and the wire can be determined using a magnetometer.