Safety Catheter Assembly with Automatic Needle Tip Protector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare workers are at risk of accidental needle sticks and blood-borne pathogen transmission due to the exposure of used needles during the IV catheter insertion procedure, requiring a safe and efficient method to cover the needle tip immediately after use.
Innovation Solution
A safety catheter assembly with a tip protector and valve opener mechanism that automatically covers the needle tip, incorporating a wiper to remove blood deposits, ensuring worker safety and minimizing blood exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the needle is left exposed after catheter insertion, then the healthcare worker can quickly complete the procedure, but the risk of accidental needle stick and blood-borne pathogen transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tip protector is pre-positioned in a ready state within the catheter hub, with the needle already configured to automatically deploy the protector upon withdrawal. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for manual intervention to cover the needle, ensuring immediate protection while maintaining procedural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly is designed with self-activating features including a cam mechanism that automatically deploys the tip protector when the needle is withdrawn from the catheter. The valve also self-closes to prevent blood leakage without requiring manual operation, making the safety functions autonomous and eliminating reliance on healthcare worker actions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a manual needle covering procedure is implemented, then needle safety is improved, but the complexity of the procedure and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tip protector deployment mechanism is integrated into the needle assembly itself, combining the protective covering function with the needle structure. The cam mechanism and spring are embedded within the needle hub, eliminating the need for separate covering devices or manual manipulation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic deployment mechanism uses the needle's own withdrawal motion to trigger protector deployment through a cam and spring system. The healthcare worker simply performs the natural needle withdrawal action, and the safety features activate autonomously without requiring additional manual steps or complex操作流程.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a valve is added to minimize blood exposure, then blood leakage control is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opener is integrated with the tip protector deployment mechanism, combining two safety functions into a single structural assembly. The cam mechanism that deploys the protector also serves to open the valve, eliminating the need for separate valve operation steps and simplifying the overall操作流程.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed to be automatically opened by the tip protector deployment mechanism during needle withdrawal. The cam-driven system that deploys the protector simultaneously actuates the valve opener, making the valve operation autonomous and eliminating the need for separate manual valve manipulation by the healthcare worker.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple safety features (tip protector, valve, wiper) are integrated, then overall safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple safety functions are integrated into unified structures: the tip protector and valve opener share a common cam-driven mechanism, the wiper is attached to the tip protector assembly, and the spring mechanism serves both protector deployment and valve actuation. This consolidation reduces the number of independent components while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism serves dual functions of deploying the tip protector and opening the valve. The tip protector assembly incorporates both the protective barrier and the wiper mechanism. The spring provides both the force for protector deployment and the force for valve actuation, creating multi-functional components that reduce overall system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A safety catheter assembly (200) comprising: a catheter hub (14) comprising a housing comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity; a catheter tube (12) attached to the catheter hub and extending distally of the catheter hub; a needle hub (18) comprising a housing comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity; a needle (16) having a needle tip (74) attached to the needle hub and projecting distally of the needle hub and into the catheter tube; a valve (46) comprising a top surface, a skirt depending therefrom, and an opening on the top surface having the needle projecting therethrough; a valve opener (48) for opening the valve and positioned in the interior cavity of the catheter hub proximal of the valve; a safety device (202) for covering the needle comprising a tip protector housing (204) for receiving the needle tip in a protected position and having a housing section positioned proximally of a proximal end of the catheter hub in a ready position; and wherein the valve opener comprises two proximally extending legs (60) having a gap there between, the valve opener being sized and shaped to be pushed distally towards the valve to transfer a force imparted by an IV-set Luer connector to the valve.