Needle Tip Protector Assembly for Safety IV Catheter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety IV catheter assemblies are costly to manufacture and often malfunction, particularly in fluid-filled environments, leading to a risk of accidental needle stick injuries due to premature release of the needle guard from the catheter hub during needle withdrawal.

Innovation Solution

A needle tip protector assembly that automatically secures the needle tip outside the catheter hub using a locking mechanism with first and second locking means, featuring a base portion with a needle passage, hollow enclosure, and tension creating elements to ensure irreversible protection against accidental pricking, even under excessive external force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle guard is arranged completely inside a chamber defined by the catheter hub, then the needle tip can be protected, but the needle guard may be prematurely released during needle withdrawal due to retracting forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle tip protection reliabilityVSAvoidneedle guard position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The needle protection system is divided into two separate components: a needle hub that moves with the needle during withdrawal, and a stationary needle guard anchored to the catheter hub. This segmentation allows the needle guard to remain stable and anchored while the needle hub and needle move together, preventing premature release of the guard during withdrawal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A needle hub is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle and the needle guard. The needle hub is detachably connected to the needle and movable relative to the needle guard, serving as a mediator that absorbs the retracting forces during needle withdrawal and prevents these forces from acting directly on the needle guard connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple parts are used in the needle protecting system, then the protective function can be improved, but the manufacturing cost increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle tip protection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The needle hub and needle guard are designed to be detachably connected with simple locking mechanisms that can be manufactured using standard molding techniques. The base portion with locking means is integrated into the needle guard structure, reducing the need for separate fastening components and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle hub serves multiple functions: it connects to the needle, moves with the needle during withdrawal, and detachably connects to the needle guard. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the needle guard is secured steadily in the catheter hub, then protection function is ensured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle guard stabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the relative movement between the needle hub and needle guard. The locking means on the base portion automatically lock to the catheter hub when the needle is in place and automatically release when the needle hub moves during withdrawal, eliminating the need for manual operation or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Complex mechanical locking systems with multiple moving parts are replaced with a simplified detent-based locking mechanism where protrusions on the base portion engage with corresponding recesses in the catheter hub. This substitution maintains stable locking while significantly reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2736576B1Needle tip protector assembly for safety iv catheter assembly

Publication Date: 2020.07.01 POLY MEDICURE LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates a safety IV catheter assembly 10 comprising a catheter tube 26 having a distal end 30 and a proximal end 28; a catheter hub 24 having a distal end 30 and a proximal end 28; a needle 14 extending through the catheter hub 24 and the catheter tube 26 having opposite proximal 28 and distal ends 30 defining an axial direction A, wherein the proximal end 28 is joined to the needle hub 20 and the distal end 30 forms a needle tip 18 and a change in profile 34 is provided between the proximal 28 and distal 30 ends of the needle; and a tip protector assembly 12 being arranged movably on the needle 14 in-between the catheter hub 24 and needle hub 20 outside the catheter hub 24 in an arrangement engaging with one or more second locking means 54 provided on the catheter hub 24 in its ready position, wherein the first arm 46 is deflected radially outwards by the needle 14 against a restoring force, wherein the tip protector assembly 12 is configured to entrap the needle tip 18 upon withdrawal of the needle 14 from the catheter hub 24.