Ultrasound Probe Protrusions for Cannula Insertion Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannula insertion systems face challenges in stabilizing blood vessels during insertion due to their cylindrical and hard nature, and the lateral shifting that occurs when penetrating, which requires additional equipment and space for positioning devices, complicating the design and increasing the difficulty of accurate cannula placement.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound probe with protrusions on its contact surface is used to stabilize blood vessels by preventing lateral shifting, allowing for more accurate and forceful penetration without compressing the vessel, eliminating the need for separate positioning branches and additional space, and enabling improved imaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If separate positioning branches and positioners are used to stabilize the blood vessel, then the blood vessel stabilization is achieved, but the device complexity increases and additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blood vessel stabilization function with the ultrasound probe by integrating protrusions directly into the probe's contact surface. This merging eliminates the need for separate positioning branches and positioners, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective blood vessel stabilization during cannula insertion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If separate positioning branches and positioners are used to stabilize the blood vessel, then the blood vessel stabilization is achieved, but the space required for maneuvering branches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization function is merged into the ultrasound probe itself through integrated protrusions, eliminating the need for separate positioning branches that require additional maneuvering space. This allows the entire stabilization mechanism to be contained within the probe's footprint at the insertion site.
3Measurement precision
If the ultrasound probe is pressed with more force on the skin to improve imaging quality, then the imaging quality improves, but the blood vessel compression increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating protrusions that concentrate the contact force at specific localized points away from the blood vessel. This allows the ultrasound probe to be pressed with sufficient force to improve imaging quality while the protrusions prevent diffuse compression of the blood vessel by distributing the pressure locally to safer areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions act as intermediaries between the ultrasound probe and the blood vessel. They mediate the contact force by providing stable contact points on the skin that prevent direct compression of the blood vessel, thereby allowing improved imaging quality without harmful vessel compression.
4Measurement precision
If the ultrasound probe is pressed with more force on the skin to improve imaging quality, then the imaging quality improves, but the cannula placement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions create localized contact points that stabilize the skin and blood vessel geometry at specific locations. This allows the ultrasound probe to be pressed with more force to improve imaging quality while the protrusions maintain a consistent, predictable blood vessel configuration that facilitates easier cannula placement.
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 ultrasound probe effectively stabilizes blood vessels, reducing the risk of lateral shifting and compression, allowing for more precise cannula insertion and improved ultrasound imaging quality without the need for additional positioning devices or space, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the cannula insertion process.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe (3) comprising an ultrasound transducer (3a) to obtain one or more sensor signals that are representative for the location of a blood vessel (V)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a cannula insertion system to insert a cannula into a blood vessel of a human or animal body, comprising: ⋅an ultrasound probe (3) to provide an ultrasound signal to determine a location of a blood vessel (V) in a human or animal body, ⋅a cannula insertion device (8) configured to insert the cannula (2) into the blood vessel, ⋅wherein the ultrasound probe comprises a contact surface (3b) to contact a skin (S) of the human or animal body, ⋅wherein the contact surface comprises one or more protrusions (14, 16) that can be used to stabilize the blood vessel when the contact surface is pressed on the skin.