Rotatable Needle Hub for Venous Port Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current venous access devices, particularly port access devices, face challenges with needle removal difficulty and patient discomfort due to prolonged needle presence, leading to potential clinician exposure and tissue irritation.
Innovation Solution
A port access device design featuring a catheter hub, needle hub with a protective tip, and a housing that locks relative to the catheter hub, allowing controlled needle rotation and axial movement, along with a tip protector to safeguard the needle and enhance patient comfort by using a flexible catheter and solid metallic stylus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a rigid needle is left in the port for extended time periods, then venous access can be maintained, but the needle becomes difficult to remove causing rebound effect and potential needle sticks to clinician
Solution Approach 1:
The needle hub is designed to rotate relative to the housing, transforming the static needle position into a dynamic system. This rotation allows the needle to be repositioned from an inserted state to a withdrawn state, making removal easier after extended port access while maintaining venous access throughout the procedure
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a rigid needle remains in tissue above the port, then venous access is maintained, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable needle hub allows dynamic repositioning of the needle, enabling it to be withdrawn from the tissue above the port while maintaining connection to the catheter. This reduces patient discomfort during extended port access procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the needle function from the catheter function through the rotatable hub mechanism. The needle can be independently repositioned or withdrawn while the catheter remains in place, allowing the harmful tissue penetration to be minimized while maintaining venous access
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a polymer catheter is used instead of needle for port access, then intervals between device removal increase and patient comfort improves, but the needle cannot be withdrawn immediately after insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines a rigid needle with a flexible catheter through the needle hub assembly. This segmentation allows the needle to be used for initial puncture and immediate withdrawal, while the catheter remains for extended port access, combining the advantages of both materials
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable needle hub enables dynamic transition between needle and catheter usage. The needle can be inserted, used briefly, and then rotated out immediately, while the catheter stays connected through the hub for long-term access
4Reliability
If a tip protector is added to cover the needle tip, then safety against inadvertent sticks improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tip protector is integrated into the existing needle hub and housing structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of functions provides safety coverage while minimizing additional device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tip protector is designed to automatically cover the needle tip when the needle is withdrawn from the port, using the needle's own movement to activate the safety feature without requiring additional mechanisms or user actions
Data Source
AI summary
A venous access device is generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to port access device having a protective clip. The port access device includes a needle hub having a needle extending therefrom and a catheter hub having a catheter tube extending therefrom with the needle positioned inside the tube in a ready to use position. A tip protector is positioned inside a clip housing, which is positioned in between the catheter hub and the needle hub.