Needle Safety Systems With Dislodgement-Triggered Flow Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue access devices fail to effectively prevent errant fluid flow when dislodged from tissue, and there is a need for a simple mechanical system to detect needle dislodgement and prevent it.
Innovation Solution
Tissue access devices with a deformable membrane and movable footplate mechanism that automatically occlude fluid flow upon dislodgement, using a spring-loaded footplate to sense skin contact and trigger fluid blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tissue access device is dislodged from tissue, then the needle may leak fluid and cause errant flow, but adding complex detection and prevention systems increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses its own structural components (footplate, spring, occluder) to automatically detect dislodgement and trigger flow occlusion without external monitoring equipment. The footplate's position change upon dislodgement directly actuates the spring-loaded occluder mechanism, making the system self-diagnosing and self-protecting.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable membrane serves as an intermediary element that transmits the mechanical state of the footplate (inserted vs. dislodged) to the occluder mechanism. When the footplate moves upon dislodgement, the membrane deforms to trigger the spring-loaded occluder, providing a simple mechanical signal transmission path.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical connectors and sensors are used to detect needle dislodgement, then detection accuracy improves, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection function from separate sensors and connectors and integrates it directly into the footplate structure itself. The footplate's physical presence or absence at the insertion site becomes the detection mechanism, eliminating the need for additional sensing components while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The footplate serves multiple functions: it provides structural support during insertion, acts as the detection element for dislodgement, and triggers the safety occlusion mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining reliable detection capability.
3Device complexity
If a simple mechanical system is used to detect needle dislodgement, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to reliably detect and prevent errant flow may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded occluder is pre-positioned and pre-loaded during device assembly. When dislodgement occurs, the pre-compressed spring immediately drives the occluder into the flow path without requiring active control or additional energy input, ensuring rapid and reliable flow cessation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides a pre-prepared mechanical response that cushiones against the harmful effect of dislodgement. The stored elastic energy in the spring ensures that the occlusion action occurs immediately and reliably, compensating for any variability in the dislodgement event itself.
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
Prevents errant fluid flow by automatically blocking fluid flow when the device is dislodged, ensuring patient safety during medical therapy.
Implementation Method 1
Tissue access devices with a deformable membrane and movable footplate mechanism that automatically occlude fluid flow upon dislodgement, using a spring-loaded footplate to sense skin contact and trigger fluid blockage
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue access devices and methods of using the same are disclosed. The devices can have a sensor configured to occlude a flow path by deflecting a membrane into the flow path when the devices become dislodged from tissue. The sensor can be configured to partially or fully occlude the flow path. The sensor can have a spring. The spring can be biased to move the sensor from a sensor first configuration to a sensor second configuration when a force applied by the sensor first surface against a non-sensor surface changes from a first force to a second force less than the first force. The membrane can be deflected into the flow path when the sensor is in the sensor second configuration.