Autonomous Intravenous Needle Insertion With Sensor-Guided Targeting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Intravenous needle and cannula insertion procedures are notorious for being unmastered techniques with high variability among medical personnel, leading to multiple unsuccessful attempts and a need for automation to reduce dependence on skilled technicians and minimize errors.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a robot arm with sensors and a controller that autonomously identifies a target insertion site and inserts a medical device, including a robot arm with sensors for vein detection and a controller that directs the robot arm to insert the medical device into the target site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intravenous needle insertion is performed by medical personnel, then the procedure can be completed, but there is high variability in skill level and multiple unsuccessful attempts are common
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical insertion system with an automated robotic system. The robot arm with integrated sensors and control mechanisms performs the needle insertion procedure autonomously, eliminating dependence on operator skill level while maintaining insertion success through programmed precision and real-time feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through autonomous operation. The robot arm automatically identifies insertion sites using sensors, positions the needle, and executes insertion without human intervention in the critical execution phase, thereby ensuring consistent reliability regardless of operator expertise.
2Reliability
If multiple attempts are made by manual insertion, then insertion success may be achieved, but procedure time increases and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions automatically through sensor-based identification and targeting of the optimal insertion site before executing the insertion. This pre-planning phase eliminates the need for multiple trial attempts by manually locating veins, thereby reducing overall procedure time while maintaining high insertion success rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms through sensors that monitor the insertion process. This feedback allows the system to adjust its actions dynamically, ensuring successful insertion on the first attempt and preventing time-wasting repeated attempts that occur in manual procedures.
3Reliability
If automated robot arm insertion is used, then insertion consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated robot arm system. The sensor array, control mechanisms, needle holder, and actuation systems are combined in one unified apparatus, which achieves consistent insertion reliability while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot arm is designed with multi-functionality to handle various aspects of the insertion procedure. The same system performs sensing, positioning, targeting, and execution of insertion, making a single device capable of completing the entire workflow and reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for autonomous intravenous needle insertion are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for autonomous intravenous insertion include a robot arm, one or more sensors pivotally attached to the robot arm for gathering information about potential insertion sites in a subject arm, a medical device pivotally attached to the robot arm, and a controller in communication with the sensors and the robot arm, wherein the controller receives the information from the sensors about potential insertion sites, and the controller selects a target insertion site and directs the robot arm to insert the medical device into the target insertion site.