Parallel Needle Array for Ultrasound-Free Vascular Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical professionals in field settings lack the necessary ultrasound systems or external guidance for achieving vascular access, making standard techniques like the Seldinger method impractical or impossible.

Innovation Solution

A vascular access system comprising a body member, a shuttle member, and a plurality of parallel access needles that can be advanced to penetrate the skin and aspirate blood, allowing for guidewire insertion without additional monitoring systems, enabling rapid and safe access to blood vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard vascular access techniques (Seldinger technique) are used, then vascular access can be achieved with a single needle, but additional monitoring systems such as ultrasound are required which are not available in field settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to field settingsVSAvoiddependency on external guidance systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the vascular access function into multiple parallel needles (typically 3-5 needles) arranged in an array, where each needle independently attempts to access the vessel. This segmentation eliminates the need for ultrasound guidance by distributing the access attempt across multiple targets, ensuring that at least one needle will successfully penetrate the vessel without requiring real-time imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle array device serves multiple functions: it simultaneously performs vessel localization, penetration, and confirmation of access through blood return from multiple needles. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate ultrasound equipment and manual palpation techniques, making the device universally applicable in both controlled and field environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple parallel access needles are used, then vascular access can be achieved without ultrasound guidance, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of vascular accessVSAvoidstructure of needle array

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle array is nested within a hub or carrier structure that holds multiple needles in a compact, organized arrangement. The needles are positioned in parallel within the hub, allowing them to be advanced together as a unit while maintaining precise spacing. This nesting approach simplifies the overall device structure compared to having separate access attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple needles are merged into a single integrated array assembly that functions as one cohesive unit. The needles share common mounting structures, advancement mechanisms, and hub components, reducing the overall complexity that would result from using multiple separate needles or devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a single needle is used in standard technique, then the device is simple, but the time to achieve vascular access is longer due to need for ultrasound guidance and adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of vascular accessVSAvoidneedle configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle array is pre-configured with multiple needles positioned at optimal angles and spacings before contact with the patient. This preliminary arrangement of needles ensures that upon advancement, multiple penetration points are simultaneously presented to the vessel, eliminating the need for repeated adjustment attempts and speeding up the access process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The parallel needle array maintains continuous access attempts across multiple needles simultaneously, rather than sequentially testing single needle positions. This continuity ensures that vascular access is achieved in a single advancement motion, maximizing productivity by eliminating gaps between access attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables rapid, safe, and repeatable vascular access in field settings without the need for ultrasound or other guidance systems, suitable for medical professionals to access blood vessels where standard techniques are impractical.

Implementation Method 1

The shuttle member may be advanced in a controlled manner by a medical professional such that the access needles simultaneously and evenly penetrate the skin of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The shuttle may be advanced by the medical professional until aspiration of blood sufficient to indicate vascular access is observed from at least one of the access needles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAspiration: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS9682217B2Vascular access systems and methods of use

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 PRYTIME MEDICAL DEVICES INC

AI summary

A vascular access system and method of use for said system. The vascular access system generally comprises a body member; a shuttle member movably coupled to the body member; and a plurality of access needles fixedly coupled to the shuttle member and extending from the body member to penetrate a patient's skin.