Rotating Needle Introducer Catheter for Vascular Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing vascular access is challenging, especially for patients with difficult venous access, requiring multiple attempts and posing risks due to high failure rates and prolonged times, especially for less-trained medical personnel.

Innovation Solution

A novel introducer catheter with a hollow needle that rotates ½ turn once inside the target vessel, minimizing vessel damage and facilitating successful cannulation with a single attempt, using a spring-loaded or manually-activated mechanism to align the beveled tip parallel to the vessel wall, allowing safe advancement of the sheath.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple attempts are made to establish vascular access, then the likelihood of successful cannulation increases, but vessel damage and patient risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccess rate of vascular accessVSAvoidvessel damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is pre-configured with a rotational mechanism that automatically rotates 180 degrees upon entering the vessel, aligning the beveled tip parallel to the vessel wall before sheath advancement. This preliminary action prevents double-wall puncture and reduces vessel damage while maintaining high success rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The needle transitions from a static insertion state to a dynamic rotated state once vascular access is achieved. The rotational mechanism allows the needle to change its orientation dynamically, transforming the beveled tip from a perpendicular entry configuration to a parallel alignment with the vessel wall, thereby preventing further tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If central venous catheterization is performed to improve vascular access, then hemodynamic monitoring capability is gained, but patient risk and procedure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehemodynamic monitoring capabilityVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The introducer catheter system provides multiple functions: it establishes vascular access like a standard IV, enables hemodynamic monitoring through the integrated sheath, and prevents complications through automatic needle rotation. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate procedures into a single versatile device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the needle is advanced directly without rotation, then the procedure is simpler, but double wall puncture risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoiddouble wall puncture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle performs the protective rotation action automatically upon vessel entry, without requiring manual manipulation by the operator. The spring-loaded or shape memory mechanism self-activates when blood back is detected, aligning the needle tip parallel to the vessel wall and preventing double-wall puncture through autonomous action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If the needle rotates 180 degrees after vessel entry, then double wall puncture is prevented, but additional mechanism complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of double wall punctureVSAvoidneedle mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical rotation system is replaced with an automatic mechanism using springs or shape memory materials. This substitution eliminates the need for complex manual操作步骤 while achieving the same protective rotation function, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution significantly improves the success rate of vascular access with fewer attempts, reduces vessel damage, and minimizes the need for extensive training, enhancing the efficiency and safety of vascular access procedures.

Implementation Method 1

spring-loaded or manually-activated mechanisms described in further detail below

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring-loaded mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS9839768B2Introducer catheter with a rotating needle to obtain vascular access

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 IBRAGIMOV ARAZ

AI summary

An introducer catheter for obtaining access to a blood vessel includes a hollow needle with a beveled tip extending from a needle hub as well as a flexible sheath slidingly positioned over the needle. The needle hub includes an actuator configured to rotate the needle tip by about ½ of a turn upon reaching the target vessel. Rotation of the needle tip allows a more confident motion of advancing the sheath further into the vessel to secure the sheath therein. The introducer catheter of the invention is designed to increase success rate of vessel access using minimal number of needle punctures and to decrease the rate of vascular complications, especially in vulnerable patients such as children.