Needle Lumen Occlusion Mechanism for Cleaner Venipuncture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid transfer devices and methods risk introducing microbial contamination from dermally residing organisms and other external contaminants into a patient's bloodstream during venipuncture, leading to serious infections, false positive blood culture tests, and unnecessary medical expenses.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer device with a needle and occlusion mechanism that selectively controls fluid flow, obstructing the lumen during insertion and unobstructing it after insertion to prevent contamination, using a movable occlusion member that transitions between configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a needle is used for venipuncture to transfer fluid, then fluid transfer efficiency is improved, but microbial contamination from dermally residing organisms is introduced into the bloodstream
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion member is pre-positioned within the needle lumen before venipuncture to block contaminants from entering. This preliminary blocking action occurs during needle insertion and is activated before fluid transfer begins, preventing contamination while maintaining efficient fluid flow when the occlusion is removed
Solution Approach 2:
The occlusion member acts as an intermediary element within the needle lumen that selectively blocks contaminants while allowing fluid transfer. This intermediate component mediates between the need for efficient fluid transfer and the need to prevent microbial contamination by being positioned strategically within the fluid path
2Reliability
If skin surface antisepsis is applied to sterilize the venipuncture site, then microbial growth is reduced, but skin fragments with viable microbes are still dislodged by the needle
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion member extracts or removes the harmful function of the needle lumen by blocking it during insertion. This separates the contamination prevention function from the fluid transfer function, allowing the needle to perform its primary function while the occlusion member handles the contamination exclusion
3Productivity
If the needle lumen is kept open during insertion to allow fluid flow, then fluid transfer is enabled, but contaminants enter the bloodstream
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion member provides dynamic control of the needle lumen, transitioning from a blocked state during insertion to an open state during fluid transfer. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for contamination prevention during insertion and for fluid flow efficiency during the transfer phase
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid transfer device for parenterally transferring fluid to and/or from a patient includes a housing, a needle, and an occlusion mechanism. The housing defines a fluid flow path and is couplable to a fluid reservoir. The needle has a distal end portion that is configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion that is configured to be fluidically coupled to the fluid flow path of the housing, and defines a lumen therebetween. The occlusion mechanism selectively controls a fluid flow between the needle and the fluid flow path. The occlusion mechanism includes an occlusion member that is movable between a first configuration where the lumen of the needle is obstructed during insertion into the patient and a second configuration where the lumen of the needle is unobstructed after the needle has been inserted into the patient allowing fluid transfer to or from the patient.