Cannula Insertion Assembly for One-Handed Neonatal Vessel Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently and safely cannulating small blood vessels in preterm neonates, such as those in the umbilical cord, to establish a quick and minimally invasive connection to an oxygenator, which is crucial for supporting neonatal growth and organ maturation.
Innovation Solution
A cannula insertion system comprising a cannula insertion device with a needle and dilator assembly that allows for precise, one-handed cannulation of blood vessels, featuring a transparent housing for visualization and a flashback mechanism to confirm entry, along with a collet jaw for secure attachment to the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional cannulation methods are used to connect the neonate's circulatory system to an oxygenator, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but the manipulation difficulty increases and blood loss increases for small vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the needle, dilator, and cannula into a single integrated assembly where the needle is positioned within the dilator lumen and the cannula is received within the dilator. This integrated design allows all components to be manipulated as one unit, significantly reducing the manipulation difficulty when dealing with small neonatal vessels while maintaining the functional benefits of each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The dilator serves as an intermediary component between the needle and the cannula. The needle first creates an access path through the vessel wall, then the dilator is advanced through the needle to expand the access path and guide the cannula into the vessel. This intermediary dilator simplifies the overall manipulation by providing a gradual transition from puncture to full cannulation.
2Productivity
If traditional cannulation methods are used, then standard equipment can be utilized, but the time required for the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is pre-positioned within the dilator lumen before the procedure begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the needle creates the access path, the dilator is already in position to immediately follow through and expand the path, eliminating the need for separate positioning steps and significantly reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the needle, dilator, and cannula into a single manipulative assembly, the patent eliminates the time required to separately position and coordinate multiple independent components. The integrated design allows the operator to perform all three functions (puncture, dilate, and insert) in one continuous motion, dramatically improving procedure speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate needle and dilator components are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the needle is positioned within the dilator lumen, and the cannula is received within the dilator. This nesting arrangement allows each component to be independently optimized for its specific function while maintaining a compact, integrated overall structure. The nested design reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate housing or mounting mechanisms for each component.
4Measurement precision
If manual manipulation of needle and dilator is used, then precise control can be achieved, but the operation difficulty increases for single operator use
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated assembly of needle, dilator, and cannula allows a single operator to maintain precise control over all components simultaneously. The rigid connections and aligned structures ensure that movement of the assembly as a whole translates directly to precise, coordinated movement of each component, eliminating the need for complex separate manipulations while maintaining high insertion precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A cannula insertion system for cannulating a blood vessel includes a cannula system having a cannula that defines a cannula lumen and has a distal and proximal end. The system includes a cannula insertion device for coupling with the system that includes a dilator having a dilator body and a dilator lumen; a needle having a needle body and a needle lumen, the needle being translatable within the dilator lumen along a first direction; a movable dilator actuator configured to cause the dilator to move along the first direction; a movable needle actuator configured to cause movement of the needle along the first direction; and a housing defining housing recess. The housing recess is configured to receive the cannula system, the dilator, and the needle. The needle and the dilator are configured to be moved within the cannula lumen along the first direction.