Safety Catheter Passive Release Needle Tip Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety catheter assemblies do not effectively prevent needle sticks during handling and disposal, as the needle tip remains exposed until the catheter is fully inserted and the needle is withdrawn.

Innovation Solution

A safety catheter assembly with a passive release feature, which includes a needle tip protector that secures the needle tip after insertion, preventing accidental exposure and allowing safe handling and disposal of the catheter insertion device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the needle tip remains exposed for catheter insertion and threading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of needle sticks during handling and disposal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of catheter insertionVSAvoidneedle stick risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip protector is pre-positioned in a retracted state that exposes the needle tip during insertion, then automatically advances to cover the needle tip after insertion is complete, eliminating the need for manual retraction operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The passive release feature uses the natural withdrawal motion of the needle during catheter removal to automatically trigger the needle tip protector advancement, converting the harmful needle withdrawal action into a safety mechanism that self-activates without additional user input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a needle tip protector is added to prevent needle sticks, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against needle sticksVSAvoidcatheter assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip protector is integrated with the existing catheter hub and insertion needle assembly, sharing common structural elements and mounting interfaces, thereby adding safety functionality without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle tip protector is designed as a nested component that fits within the existing catheter assembly structure, utilizing available space and integrating with existing mechanical interfaces rather than adding external protruding components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the needle tip protector is manually retracted, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental needle exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle tip protector controlVSAvoidaccidental needle exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip protector automatically re-advances to cover the needle tip when the needle is withdrawn, using the withdrawal motion itself to trigger the safety action, eliminating the need for manual control that could lead to accidental exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring manual retraction to expose the needle tip after insertion, the system inverts the logic by having the needle withdrawal action automatically trigger protector advancement, making the safety mechanism activate through the natural course of procedure completion rather than requiring separate manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12274840B2Safety catheter with passive release

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 ICU MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A safety intravenous catheter that includes a passive release feature. The catheter assembly includes ready, safe, and released positions. In the release position, a retainer being in a proximal retainer position relative to a collar enables release of the catheter hub from the catheter insertion device. The sharp tip of the insertion needle remains inaccessible in the release position in order to prevent unwanted needle sticks.