Subcutaneous Port Stabilization Device for Safe Needle Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Medical practitioners face challenges in safely accessing subcutaneous ports without risking accidental needle sticks due to the ports' movement under the skin, which complicates injection procedures and poses a risk of contamination.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a base, first arm, and second arm with a manipulation mechanism that stabilizes the port by immobilizing its movement and providing a clear visual field for safe injection, using adjustable and flexible components to secure the port against the skin, thus preventing accidental needle punctures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard injection device is used to access a subcutaneous port, then the injection procedure can be performed, but the port's movement under the skin causes accidental needle sticks and contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of injection procedureVSAvoiddifficulty of accessing moving port

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary stabilization of the port by positioning the base and arms around the port site before the injection needle is introduced. This pre-positioning immobilizes the moving target, allowing subsequent safe access without port movement during the critical injection phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device acts as an intermediary tool between the practitioner and the moving port. Rather than directly manipulating the needle near the moving port, the practitioner uses the device's base and arms as a stable intermediary platform to guide and control the needle insertion, eliminating the need to track the moving port with the needle alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the practitioner uses fingers to stabilize the port, then the port movement is reduced, but the visual field is blocked and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of port positionVSAvoidvisual field obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the stabilization function from the visualization function. The base and arms provide mechanical stabilization of the port, while the open structure and elevated positioning of components allow unobstructed visual access to the port site. This segmentation eliminates the need to use fingers for stabilization, which would block the view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions the stabilization function from a two-dimensional finger-blocking approach to a three-dimensional structured approach. The base and arms create a spatial framework that stabilizes the port from below and around, leaving the central visual field clear. This dimensional change allows simultaneous stabilization and visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the port is allowed to move freely under the skin, then patient comfort is maintained, but the injection target is in constant motion increasing needle stick risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of portVSAvoidaccidental needle sticks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary stabilization of the port by positioning the base and arms around the port site before the injection needle is introduced. This pre-positioning immobilizes the moving target, allowing subsequent safe access without port movement during the critical injection phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device acts as an intermediary tool between the practitioner and the moving port. Rather than directly manipulating the needle near the moving port, the practitioner uses the device's base and arms as a stable intermediary platform to guide and control the needle insertion, eliminating the need to track the moving port with the needle alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10960195B2Device for assisting access to a subcutaneous port

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 GARCIA MENOCAL SADIEL E

AI summary

The device includes a manipulation mechanism for maneuvering a base into position proximate a subcutaneous port. Arms extending from the base enable the device to receive the port and substantially immobilize the port relative to the device. The manipulation mechanism also enables a user to substantially immobilize the device relative to a patient. With the subcutaneous port substantially immobilized by the device, the user has greater confidence and accuracy when inserting a needle into the port. Further, embodiments of the device provide protection to the user to prevent inadvertent sticking of the user as the needle is introduced.