Spring-Loaded Butterfly Needle Insertion Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle insertion devices for subcutaneous infusion systems, particularly those used for butterfly needles, are not suitable for patients with limited hand strength and do not accommodate butterfly needles effectively, leading to difficulties in consistent and pain-reduced needle insertion.
Innovation Solution
A butterfly needle insertion device with a housing that accommodates butterfly needles, featuring a drive plunger with a spring mechanism to facilitate easy insertion and a catch assembly to temporarily hold the needle, allowing for efficient and consistent delivery of the needle into the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual needle insertion device is used, then the device structure can be simple, but patients with limited hand strength cannot operate it effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism automatically propels the needle into the patient's tissue without requiring manual insertion force. The user simply positions the device and releases the trigger, allowing the spring to perform the insertion action autonomously, making it accessible to patients with limited hand strength
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a spring mechanism that stores energy in a compressed state and releases it in a controlled periodic manner upon trigger activation. This converts a continuous manual insertion action into a single periodic mechanical release, reducing the operational effort required by the user
2Reliability
If a butterfly needle is used for subcutaneous infusion, then the needle can be temporarily secured to the patient, but existing insertion devices do not accommodate the butterfly wings structure
Solution Approach 1:
The housing includes distinct receiving features for the butterfly wings that are separate from the needle insertion pathway. The wings are captured in dedicated wing receptacles while the needle passes through a separate needle passage, allowing independent accommodation of each component's structural requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The device housing serves multiple functions: it protects the needle before use, captures and secures the butterfly wings during insertion, guides the needle into the patient, and provides a trigger mechanism for controlled deployment. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle the complex butterfly needle structure effectively
3Object-affected harmful factors
If needle insertion is performed slowly to reduce tissue damage, then tissue damage is minimized, but insertion time increases and pain may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism propels the needle through the skin and tissue rapidly in a single motion, skipping the slow incremental insertion process. The quick penetration minimizes the time the needle tip is actively damaging tissue, reducing overall tissue trauma despite the higher insertion speed
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-compressed and stored energy is prepared in advance before insertion. This preliminary energy storage allows the needle to be propelled at optimal speed during the actual insertion moment, achieving rapid penetration without requiring real-time force application by the user
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 device enables easy and consistent insertion of butterfly needles, reducing the pain associated with needle insertion and accommodating patients with limited hand strength, while also being suitable for home use.
Implementation Method 1
a drive spring associated with the drive plunger such that when the drive plunger is driven into the housing to the retracted position, the drive spring is loaded and when the drive plunger is released, the drive plunger travels distally from the force of the drive spring unloading to deliver the butterfly needle into the patient
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for administering a butterfly needle to a patient. The system includes a butterfly needle insertion device, having: a housing provided by a shell with a distal end and a proximal opening, the proximal opening having two opposing grooves each sized to receive a wing of a butterfly needle, and two opposing channels disposed between the opposing grooves. A drive plunger occupies at least a portion of the space defined by the shell of the housing and in shifting engagement with the housing. The drive plunger has a distal end to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger in a retracted position and a proximal end structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle with the wings extending through the opposing grooves and beyond the housing. A supply line of the butterfly needle received by one of the opposing channels. A butterfly needle retainer is disposed within the housing to temporarily hold the butterfly needle to the proximal end of the drive plunger when the drive plunger is in the retracted position. A drive spring associated with the drive plunger such that when the drive plunger is driven into the housing to the retracted position, the drive spring is loaded and when the drive plunger is released, the drive plunger travels distally from the force of the drive spring unloading to deliver the butterfly needle into the patient. An associated method of use is provided as well.