Nested Needle-Dilator Cannula Insertion for Neonatal Vessel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently and safely cannulating small vessels in neonates, particularly in the umbilical cord, to establish a blood flow pathway for oxygenation, often requiring complex procedures and risking blood loss and umbilical cord spasming.
Innovation Solution
A cannula insertion system comprising a cannula insertion device with a needle and dilator assembly that allows for precise vessel penetration, expansion, and secure attachment of a cannula, enabling quick and safe cannulation with minimal blood loss and reduced stimuli, facilitating single-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle and dilator assembly is used for vessel penetration and expansion, then cannulation success rate is improved, but risk of blood loss and umbilical cord spasming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the needle is inserted within the dilator, and both are contained within the cannula. This nested doll configuration allows sequential deployment: the needle creates the initial puncture, the dilator expands the opening, and finally the cannula is positioned. This controlled sequential access minimizes trauma to the umbilical cord vessels, reducing blood loss and spasming while maintaining high cannulation success rates.
2Reliability
If complex procedures are used for cannulation, then cannulation success is improved, but procedure time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the needle, dilator, and cannula into a single integrated assembly that functions as one unified device. The needle is positioned within the dilator, which is in turn positioned within the cannula, creating a pre-assembled configuration. This merging allows the entire cannulation procedure to be performed with a single device insertion, eliminating the need for separate steps of needle removal, dilator insertion, and cannula placement, thereby simplifying the procedure while maintaining success rates.
3Measurement precision
If precise vessel penetration is achieved, then cannulation accuracy is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the needle within the dilator and the dilator within the cannula before the cannulation procedure begins. The needle is already aligned and ready to penetrate the umbilical cord vessel at the precise moment of insertion. This pre-prepared configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment and positioning steps during the procedure, achieving both high penetration accuracy and rapid execution.
Data Source
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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 a 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.