Needle Assembly with Flexible Nose for Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional IV needle assemblies require additional needle sticks for blood sampling after catheter insertion, which can be painful and inefficient, and do not effectively utilize the flashback chamber for fluid collection.
Innovation Solution
A needle assembly with a flexible nose extension and push feature that allows for controlled fluid collection from the flashback chamber, incorporating a two-step locking mechanism to manage needle retraction and fluid diversion for sampling, enabling easy access and controlled expression of bodily fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional IV needle assembly with flashback chamber is used for catheter insertion, then the flashback chamber can collect blood for visual confirmation of vein penetration, but additional needle sticks are required for blood sampling which causes patient pain and increases procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the catheter insertion function and blood sampling function into a single integrated needle assembly. The flashback chamber is designed to serve dual purposes: visual confirmation of vein penetration and blood collection for sampling. This eliminates the need for separate needle sticks and reduces procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly is designed with multi-functionality, allowing it to perform both catheter insertion and blood sampling through a single procedure. The flashback chamber acts as both a visual indicator and a collection reservoir, enabling clinicians to obtain blood samples without requiring additional needles or equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flashback chamber is used for both visual confirmation and fluid collection, then diagnostic sampling capability is improved, but control over fluid expression becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dynamic control mechanism that allows the flashback chamber to transition between different states. The chamber can be sealed to maintain fluid pressure for controlled expression, or opened to allow fluid flow. This dynamic capability enables precise control over fluid expression while maintaining diagnostic sampling versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the flashback chamber, specifically controlling pressure and sealability parameters. By adjusting these parameters, the system can maintain fluid collection for diagnostic sampling while enabling controlled expression when needed, resolving the contradiction between versatility and control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid nose portion is used in the needle guard, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility for navigating anatomical structures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nose portion into segmented sections with different mechanical properties. The proximal portion provides structural stability while the distal portion offers flexibility for navigation. This segmentation allows each section to perform its optimized function, resolving the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The nose portion is constructed using composite materials or structures that combine rigid and flexible characteristics. This allows the overall structure to maintain stability while specific regions provide the necessary flexibility for navigating anatomical structures during the procedure.
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 allows for painless and efficient sampling of bodily fluids without additional needle sticks, utilizing the flashback chamber for fluid collection and providing a controlled method for fluid expression, enhancing diagnostic capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The cavity is sealed at its proximal end by a gas permeable flash plug that allows air to vent from the cavity as blood or fluid fills the cavity, but that prevents the blood or fluid from passing through the flash plug and out of the flash chamber
Implementation Method 2
The flexible nose extension can be deformed to open a seal and provide trapped fluid from the flexible nose extension for analysis
Data Source
AI summary
A needle assembly for sampling fluid from a patient including a needle guard, an insertion needle, and a needle housing. The distal end of the needle guard includes a nose portion and a flexible nose extension defining a fluid collection reservoir. The proximal end of the needle guard includes a push feature. The insertion needle has a sharpened distal tip, a proximal needle end and a shaft defining a lumen extending therebetween. The needle housing is operably coupled to the proximal needle end and is slideably coupled to the needle guard. The needle housing includes a flash chamber including a wall defining a cavity. The cavity is in fluid communication with the lumen of the insertion needle and is sealed at one end by a gas permeable flash plug. The push feature selectively engages the flash plug to divert captured bodily fluids to the fluid collection reservoir for sampling.