Multi-Needle Vascular Access Hub for Rapid Field Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vascular access techniques, such as the Seldinger method, require needle guidance systems like ultrasound, which are impractical or unavailable in field settings, making it difficult for medical professionals to achieve rapid and consistent vascular access in emergency situations without hospital-like conditions.
Innovation Solution
A handheld vascular access device with a hub and multiple hollow access needles that can be advanced simultaneously to penetrate the skin without guidance systems, allowing for rapid and safe access to blood vessels by aspirating blood to confirm placement, enabling the insertion of a guidewire and subsequent medical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional Seldinger technique with needle guidance system is used, then vascular access precision is improved, but device complexity and availability requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the needle guidance system (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, visual inspection) from the vascular access procedure, creating a standalone device that performs vascular access without requiring external guidance systems. This is achieved by integrating multiple hollow access needles directly into a handheld hub structure that can be operated independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld vascular access device is designed to be self-sufficient, performing the complete vascular access procedure without requiring external guidance systems or hospital infrastructure. The device includes all necessary components (multiple needles, hub, and operational mechanisms) to independently achieve vascular access in field settings.
2Device complexity
If single needle vascular access is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity and reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vascular access function into multiple parallel hollow access needles (at least two, preferably three or more) that are simultaneously inserted into the skin. This segmentation allows multiple needles to operate in parallel, increasing the probability of successful vascular access and reducing the time required compared to sequential single-needle attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple hollow access needles into a single integrated handheld device with a common hub structure. This merging allows all needles to be inserted simultaneously through a single skin puncture site, achieving both the simplicity of a single device and the productivity of multiple access points.
3Productivity
If multiple hollow access needles are inserted simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple hollow access needles into a single integrated handheld device with a common hub structure. This consolidation allows all needles to be inserted simultaneously through a single skin puncture site, achieving high productivity while managing complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld hub structure serves multiple functions: it holds and positions multiple hollow access needles, provides a common entry point through the skin, and acts as the operational interface for the user. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
4Measurement precision
If needle guidance system is required, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability to field settings worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the needle guidance system (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, visual inspection) from the vascular access procedure, creating a standalone device that performs vascular access without requiring external guidance systems. This enables deployment in field settings where such infrastructure is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld vascular access device is designed to be self-sufficient, performing the complete vascular access procedure without requiring external guidance systems or hospital infrastructure. The device includes all necessary components to independently achieve vascular access in field settings.
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, safe, and repeated vascular access in field settings without the need for needle guidance systems, allowing medical professionals to access blood vessels quickly and effectively, even in conditions where standard techniques are impractical.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for rapid and safe access to blood vessels by aspirating blood to confirm placement
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld vascular access device for gaining access to a patient's vessel includes a hub, a plurality of access needles and a manifold. The hub has an inner wall and side walls that define a plurality of ports. Each of the plurality of ports has a proximal port end and a distal port end. The proximal port ends define a proximal cross-sectional area and the distal port ends define a distal cross-sectional area. The proximal cross-sectional areas are greater than the distal cross-sectional areas. Each of the plurality of ports taper from the proximal port end to the distal port end. The plurality of hollow access needles is arranged along a plane and fixedly coupled to the distal end of the hub. Each of the plurality of needles has a tip. The manifold removably engages the hub at the proximal end of the hub.