Optical Blood Vessel Puncture Needle for Tip Insertion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood vessel puncture devices face challenges in promptly determining when the distal end opening is inserted into the blood vessel due to the exposure hole being located in the proximal direction from the needle body, leading to potential inaccuracies in vessel puncture.

Innovation Solution

A blood vessel puncture device with a light guide member that protrudes in the distal direction, featuring a light emission portion and a non-transmissive portion to control light emission, allowing precise visualization of the distal end insertion into the vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the exposure hole is located in the proximal direction from the distal end opening of the needle body, then the light can be emitted to indicate insertion into the blood vessel, but the detection of distal end insertion is delayed and less accurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of distal end insertionVSAvoidtime delay in detecting insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the light emission point proximal to the distal end opening, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning the light guide distal end to protrude beyond the distal end opening. The light emission portion is located at this protruding distal end, allowing light to be emitted directly at the insertion point for immediate detection of vessel penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the light guide member in the distal direction beyond the needle body's distal end opening, creating a protruding light guide distal end. This dimensional extension allows the light emission portion to be positioned at the tip area, enabling real-time optical detection of insertion status without time delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If light is emitted from the light guide distal end to detect insertion, then insertion detection is improved, but irregular reflection in skin tissue increases and light emitting region expands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion detection capabilityVSAvoidirregular reflection in skin tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing the light non-transmissive portion at specific locations on the light guide distal end (such as the distal end face and/or outer peripheral surface). This creates localized light blocking areas that prevent light emission in directions that would cause irregular reflection in skin tissue, while maintaining light emission in the useful direction for insertion detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of light scattering and irregular reflection into a benefit by strategically positioning light non-transmissive portions. These portions block light that would otherwise cause harmful reflections, while allowing controlled light emission for detection. The harmful scattering is eliminated and the beneficial directed emission is preserved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The device enables accurate and quick detection of the distal end insertion into the blood vessel, reducing irregular reflections and enhancing puncture accuracy by controlling light emission, thereby facilitating precise vessel access.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide member for guiding light emitted by the light source unit to the distal end opening is arranged in the lumen of the needle body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guidance: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

an outer surface of the light guide distal end includes a light emission portion that emits the light in a direction in which the distal opening faces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 3

a light non-transmissive portion that prevents emission of the light... an amount of the light emitted from the light guide distal end can be suppressed. As a result, irregular reflection in skin tissue is suppressed and a light emitting region of the light guide distal end is narrowed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

light derived from the light guide member through the exposure hole is absorbed or attenuated by blood, so that before and after the exposure hole formed at the distal end of the needle body is inserted into the blood vessel, intensity of the light that can be received or visually recognized outside the living body site changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption by blood: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250339649A1Blood vessel puncture device and blood vessel puncture system

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 TERUMO KK

AI summary

A blood vessel puncture device includes: a tubular needle body configured to puncture a blood vessel of a living body site, the tubular needle body including: a lumen, a blade surface at a distal end of the needle body, and a distal end opening located in the blade surface and communicating with the lumen; a needle hub located at a proximal end of the needle body; a light source unit attached to the needle hub; and a light guide member located in the lumen of the needle body, the light guide member being configured to guide light emitted by the light source unit to the distal end opening.