Movable Septum Positioning for Implantable Vascular Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable access devices for intravenous fluid delivery and withdrawal pose a challenge as the septum, through which injections occur, is not visible once implanted beneath the skin, requiring medical personnel to make multiple attempts to locate it during procedures.
Innovation Solution
An implantable access device with a movable septum that can transition from a lower-profile to a higher-profile position externally, facilitated by a cam assembly and biasing member, allowing easy identification by medical personnel through an upper and lower collar mechanism, and an annular sleeve providing a sealed flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the access device is implanted beneath the skin, then the device can provide intravenous access, but the septum becomes invisible and difficult to locate
Solution Approach 1:
The septum is made movable between a retracted position (flush with skin surface) and a protruding position (visible above skin surface). The movable septum allows it to be hidden during implantation but visible when needed for access, resolving the contradiction between maintaining clean implantability and enabling easy location.
Solution Approach 2:
The septum incorporates a visible indicator (such as a colored marker or contrast element) that can be detected by medical personnel. This visual indicator makes the septum easily locatable when it is in the protruding position, directly addressing the visibility problem.
2Ease of operation
If the septum is kept retracted, then the implant site remains clean and aesthetic, but the septum cannot be easily located for procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The septum transitions from a static retracted position to a dynamic system that can protrude on demand. This allows the site to remain clean and aesthetic during normal conditions while enabling easy location when procedures are needed, simply by moving the septum to the protruding position.
Solution Approach 2:
The septum is pre-positioned in a retracted state to maintain cleanliness, but can be quickly moved to a protruding position before procedures are needed. This preliminary positioning allows the system to maintain both cleanliness and locatability as needed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple attempts are made to locate the septum, then accurate access can be achieved, but procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visible indicator on the septum provides immediate visual identification, allowing medical personnel to locate the septum on the first attempt with high accuracy. This eliminates the need for multiple attempts and significantly reduces procedural time while maintaining access precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable septum can be positioned to protrude before procedures, making it immediately visible and accessible. This dynamic positioning ensures accurate location on the first attempt, eliminating time lost to multiple search attempts.
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 quick and accurate location of the septum by medical personnel, reducing the number of attempts needed to access the device during medical procedures and enhancing procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member positioned to urge the upper collar from the first position to the second position
Implementation Method 2
the at least one angled protrusion engages the at least one rib to apply torque to the lower collar
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable access device for intravenous delivery and/or withdrawal of fluids is described herein. The access device includes a septum which is movably supported within a housing of the access device from a retracted, low profile position to an extended, high profile position to facilitate easy identification of the location of the septum by medical personnel.