Spring-Loaded Collar Locking Clip for Catheter Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locking clip assemblies for I.V. catheters cause discomfort to patients due to increased needle diameter or risk of annular ring detachment, and apply high drag forces during needle removal, posing challenges in safe disposal and patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A catheter assembly with a locking clip assembly featuring a spring-loaded collar and biasing member that moves the locking clip from a first to a second orientation, binding the needle to prevent retraction, thus ensuring safe disposal without patient discomfort or flow occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an area of increased diameter is formed on the insertion needle (by deforming or welding an annular ring), then the needle is prevented from separating from the locking clip, but this causes discomfort to the patient and risks flow occlusion if the ring detaches
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a collar as an intermediary component that engages with the locking clip and applies force to bind the needle. The collar acts as a mediator between the locking clip mechanism and the needle, providing reliable retention without requiring direct modification of the needle itself. This eliminates the need for annular rings on the needle while maintaining secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the needle retention function into separate components: the locking clip provides the binding mechanism, the collar provides the binding force application point, and the needle simply passes through. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without the needle needing to carry structural modifications like annular rings.
2Reliability
If a spring clip applies spring force directly to the insertion needle shaft to cause rotation into a binding orientation, then the needle is secured, but this creates high drag force during needle separation making it difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The collar serves as an intermediary that the spring force acts upon rather than the needle shaft directly. The spring force is applied to the collar, which then transmits the binding action to the needle through engagement with the locking clip. This intermediary arrangement reduces direct friction and drag on the needle during insertion and removal operations.
3Reliability
If a locking clip assembly is used to confine the needle tip within a housing, then medical personnel are protected from needle stick injuries, but the assembly becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The locking clip is designed to perform multiple functions: it engages with the collar to provide binding force, it confines the needle tip within the housing for safety, and it maintains the needle in the correct orientation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining comprehensive safety protection.
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 solution effectively prevents needle retraction and occlusion, ensuring safe disposal and reducing the risk of needle stick injuries for medical personnel while maintaining ease of manufacturing and reliable function.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing member includes a coil spring
Implementation Method 2
the biasing member is positioned to urge the collar into engagement with the locking clip to urge the locking clip from a first orientation to a second orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A catheter assembly is disclosed which includes a cannula assembly, a locking clip assembly and a housing. The locking clip assembly includes a locking clip, a collar, and a biasing member. The locking clip has a first leg defining a trigger hole and a second leg defining a binding hole. The collar is positioned to engage the locking clip and the biasing member is positioned to urge the collar into engagement with the locking clip to urge the locking clip from a first orientation to a second orientation. In the second orientation, the binding hole is positioned to bind with the insertion needle to prevent retraction of the insertion needle.