Self-contained Infusion Set with Automatic Needle Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infusion sets require manual insertion and retraction of introducer needles, leading to variability in insertion and retraction forces, speeds, and angles, resulting in increased catheter insertion failures and risk of accidental needle sticks.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained infusion set with an integral introducer needle that automatically inserts and retracts, eliminating the need for manual handling and reducing the number of components to carry, by using a base with a movable activation button to control the needle's position within the base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual insertion and retraction of introducer needle is used, then the device structure is simple, but the insertion process has variability in forces, speeds, and angles leading to increased catheter insertion failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter insertion success rateVSAvoidinfusion set structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the introducer needle, catheter, and insertion mechanism into a single integrated infusion set unit. The introducer needle is housed within the catheter assembly, allowing both components to be inserted together as one unit, thereby eliminating the need for separate manual handling and reducing variability in insertion parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The infusion set is designed to perform its own insertion function through a self-contained mechanism. The introducer needle is positioned within the catheter assembly such that when the catheter is inserted, the introducer needle automatically follows and creates the entry point, eliminating the need for separate manual insertion actions and reducing operational variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual removal of introducer needle is required, then the device structure remains simple, but the user is exposed to accidental needle sticks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental needle stick riskVSAvoidinfusion set structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The introduces needle is nested within the catheter assembly structure. After insertion, the introduces needle remains housed within the catheter assembly, eliminating the need for separate removal actions and preventing exposure to the sharp needle tip. The nested design ensures the needle is always contained when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful element (exposed needle tip) is extracted from the operational environment by incorporating it within the protected structure of the catheter assembly. The needle is taken out of the external environment and placed within the enclosed space of the catheter assembly, eliminating the risk of accidental sticks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If separate stand-alone inserter device is used, then insertion function is provided, but the number of components to carry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of components to carryVSAvoidinfusion set structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the infusion set with the insertion mechanism into a single integrated unit. The catheter, introduces needle, and insertion structure are combined in one assembly that can be carried and applied as a single component, eliminating the need for separate stand-alone inserter devices and reducing the number of components to carry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2673030B1Self-contained inserter for drug delivery infusion set

Publication Date: 2021.03.31 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

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AI summary

An infusion set (101) includes a base (121), a flexible catheter (142) and an introducer needle (134). The flexible catheter (142) is movable from a first catheter position disposed substantially entirely within the base (121) to a second catheter position in which a free end of the flexible catheter (142) is disposed externally of the base (121). The introducer needle (134) is movable between a first introducer needle position disposed substantially entirely within the base (121) and a second introducer needle position in which a free end of the introducer needle (134) is disposed externally of the base (121). An activation button (161) is movable between first and second button positions. When the activation button (161) is moved from the first button position to the second button position, the flexible catheter (142) is moved from the first to the second catheter position, and the introducer needle (134) is moved from the first to the second introducer needle position to facilitate insertion of the catheter (142) and back to the first introducer needle position to store the introducer needle (134) within the base (121).