Pressure-Sensing Probe Feedback for Venous Access Verification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for verifying the placement of needles and catheters, such as the Seldinger technique, are prone to misplacement, particularly into arteries, leading to complications like bleeding and stroke, and techniques like manometry and ultrasound are unreliable or cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing, sensing unit, processing unit, and output unit that detects physiologic parameters to differentiate between target and non-target anatomical sites, providing real-time visual and auditory feedback on probe placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manometry is used to verify needle or catheter placement, then placement verification is attempted, but the method is unreliable and can lead to false conclusions about placement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement verification reliabilityVSAvoidplacement verification precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manometry system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using pressure measurement through extension tubes, the invention uses an imaging device with light source and detector to visually confirm needle or catheter placement by detecting the presence or absence of a blood column, providing more reliable and precise verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light) to verify placement. A light source illuminates the needle/catheter and imaging detector captures the transmitted light, creating an optical pathway that allows visualization of the blood column presence, serving as a more reliable mediator than mechanical pressure transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If ultrasound is used for verifying vascular targeting, then placement verification is attempted, but the technique is cumbersome and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevascular targeting verification reliabilityVSAvoidverification device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential verification function from complex ultrasound equipment. By isolating the core need for visual confirmation of blood column presence and implementing it through a simple optical system with light source and detector, the invention eliminates the complexity of ultrasound machinery while maintaining verification reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from acoustic waves (ultrasound) to optical transmission. This parameter change simplifies the verification system by using light transmission through the blood column rather than acoustic imaging, reducing device complexity while improving reliability for this specific application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If needle or catheter insertion is performed without reliable verification, then the procedure is faster and simpler, but misplacement into arteries occurs leading to complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion procedure efficiencyVSAvoidplacement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary verification of correct venous placement before completing the insertion procedure. The optical verification system is activated during the insertion process to confirm blood column presence before finalizing catheter placement, preventing arterial misplacement complications while maintaining procedural efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements immediate visual feedback during the insertion procedure. The imaging detector provides real-time confirmation of correct placement by displaying blood column presence or absence, allowing the operator to adjust the needle or catheter position immediately if misplacement is detected, thereby improving both safety and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Accurately distinguishes between venous and arterial sites, reducing the risk of misplacement and associated complications by offering immediate and reliable verification of needle or catheter placement.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a physiologic parameter of an anatomical environment in a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20250360291A1Systems, methods, and devices for facilitating access to target anatomical sites or environments

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 MEDLINE INDUSTRIES

AI summary

A medical device includes a housing having a distal portion with a probe extending therefrom. The housing is graspable by a user to manipulate the housing and the probe. The medical device further includes a pressure sensing system including a pressure sensor and a processing unit coupled with the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is configured to be carried by the probe. The processing unit is carried by the housing and is configured to receive input signals from the pressure sensor. The medical device further includes an output unit coupled to the processing unit and carried by the housing. The output unit is configured to output a reporting signal to a display. The reporting signal is indicative of a pressure at the pressure sensor.