Multi-Needle Spinal Drug Delivery System with Port Multiplier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems for the spine require precise insertion of multiple needles, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to increased radiation exposure for both patients and healthcare staff due to the need to handle each needle independently.
Innovation Solution
A novel drug delivery system comprising a plurality of needles, a needle guide for guiding and holding the needles, a syringe with a port multiplier, and tubes connecting the port multiplier to the needles, allowing for simultaneous insertion and medication delivery through multiple needles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple needles are handled independently for insertion, then each needle can be precisely positioned, but the procedural time increases and radiation exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple needles into a single assembled unit that is inserted as one component. The needle assembly includes multiple needles positioned in specific orientations relative to each other, allowing them to be inserted simultaneously into the spine at different angles. This merging of multiple independent needle handling operations into a single insertion action directly reduces procedural time while maintaining the precision of each individual needle placement through the guided assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly is pre-configured with multiple needles positioned and oriented in advance during manufacturing. The specific angles and positions of each needle relative to the others are predetermined in the assembly structure. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need to individually position each needle during the procedure, reducing both time and radiation exposure while ensuring precise insertion angles through the pre-engineered geometry of the assembly.
2Reliability
If multiple needles are handled independently, then each needle location can be verified, but radiation exposure to patient and staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple needles into a single assembled unit that is inserted simultaneously, the patent reduces the total number of fluoroscopic imaging cycles required. Instead of verifying each needle placement separately through multiple radiation exposures, the entire needle assembly is inserted and positioned in a single fluoroscopic sequence, maintaining placement accuracy verification while significantly reducing cumulative radiation exposure to both patient and staff.
3Device complexity
If a single syringe is used for multiple needle insertions, then the system is simpler, but the precision of multiple needle insertions becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple needles into a single integrated assembly that maintains precise angular relationships between each needle. The needle assembly structure includes features that constrain and maintain specific angles between adjacent needles, ensuring that each needle is positioned at the correct insertion angle while being delivered through a single coordinated action. This allows a single syringe to effectively service multiple needles without compromising insertion precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A drug delivery system comprising: a plurality of needles; a needle guide for guiding and holding the plurality of needles during insertion into a patient's spine; a syringe containing a drug which is to be delivered into the patient's spine; a port multiplier comprising an inlet port connectable to the syringe and a plurality of outlet ports; and a plurality of tubes for providing fluid connections between the outlet ports of the port multiplier and the plurality of needles.