Self-Sealing Pad for Needle Infusion Set Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion needle assemblies do not effectively prevent fluid exposure to clinicians, which can be hazardous, especially when infusing substances like chemotherapy agents into subcutaneously implanted access ports.
Innovation Solution
A safety needle assembly with a self-sealing pad and axially slidable safety assembly that shields the needle tip and includes a fluid isolation component, such as absorbent pads or a corrugated shroud, to prevent fluid escape and exposure to clinicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle assembly is used for infusing fluids into a subcutaneously implanted access port, then fluid delivery function is achieved, but fluid escape and exposure to clinician occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A self-sealing pad is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle and the external environment. The pad contains a self-sealing membrane that allows needle passage during infusion but automatically seals when the needle is withdrawn, preventing fluid escape and protecting the clinician from exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sealing pad is pre-positioned at the access port site before needle insertion. The pad's self-sealing membrane is prepared in advance to seal automatically upon needle withdrawal, ensuring fluid containment is established before any potential leakage can occur.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the needle is shielded by the safety assembly after use, then needle safety is improved, but fluid leakage from the distal opening may escape through the pad
Solution Approach 1:
The self-sealing pad acts as a mediator between the needle lumen and the external environment. Even when the needle is retracted into the safety assembly, the pad's self-sealing membrane maintains the fluid barrier, preventing leaked fluids from escaping the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sealing membrane is a flexible thin film that can deform to accommodate needle insertion and withdrawal while maintaining its sealing function. This flexible barrier effectively contains fluids even when the needle position changes during the procedure.
3Reliability
If a self-sealing pad is used to prevent fluid escape, then fluid containment is improved, but the pad must allow needle penetration initially
Solution Approach 1:
The self-sealing pad performs dual functions automatically: it allows needle penetration during infusion and then self-seals when the needle is withdrawn. The pad's membrane automatically transitions from an open state during insertion to a sealed state during retraction, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sealing membrane exhibits dynamic behavior, changing its permeability state based on needle position. The membrane is designed to be penetrable during insertion but automatically seals when the needle is withdrawn, adapting its function to different operational phases without manual control.
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 safety needle assembly effectively reduces or prevents clinician exposure to fluids and vapors, thereby minimizing potential harm by isolating and absorbing any leaked fluids, ensuring safer handling and use.
Implementation Method 1
a self-sealing pad is included on the safety assembly base through which the needle initially penetrates. When it is later shielded by the safety assembly after use, the needle is also retracted back through the self sealing pad. The pad prevents any fluids that may have leaked from the distal opening of the needle from passing through the pad and escaping the needle assembly
Implementation Method 2
A fluid isolation component is included in the safety assembly for isolating fluid escape from the needle to prevent exposure to a clinician
Data Source
AI summary
A needle assembly to prevent fluid/vapor escape so as to reduce or prevent fluid exposure to a clinician during use of the needle assembly. The needle assembly may include a handle portion with a needle extending therefrom, and a base portion releasably coupled to the handle portion. The base portion may include a safety assembly to shield a distal tip of the needle and prevent user contact therewith. The base portion may further include a self-sealing pad covering a bottom external surface thereof. The self-sealing pad may include an upper surface designed to mate with the base portion and a raised portion compressively positioned in the opening of the bottom external surface. The needle assembly may further include a fluid isolation component.