Spring-Loaded Intraosseous Needle for Emergency Vascular Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing vascular access in emergency situations is challenging due to difficulties in accessing veins, especially in patients with chronic diseases, the elderly, or those with anatomical limitations, leading to delayed or impossible administration of life-saving drugs and fluids.

Innovation Solution

A spring-loaded, impact-driven apparatus with a handle and trigger mechanism for penetrating bone marrow, allowing for the insertion of a penetrator into the bone marrow for drug and fluid delivery, which can be used as a backup when battery-powered devices are impractical or fail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional IV access methods are used, then vascular access can be established in some patients, but access becomes difficult or impossible in patients with chronic diseases, the elderly, or those with anatomical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIV access reliabilityVSAvoidAdaptability to different patient populations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional IV access approach by transitioning from peripheral venous access to central bone marrow access. Instead of attempting to access veins that are difficult to reach in challenging patient populations, the device penetrates the bone to access the marrow cavity, which provides a reliable alternative vascular access route for emergency medication administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The bone marrow serves as an intermediary access point between the peripheral circulation and the central circulatory system. By inserting the needle into the bone marrow cavity, the device creates a direct pathway for medication delivery that bypasses the difficult-to-access peripheral veins, effectively mediating the challenge of establishing IV access in difficult patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If repeated probing with sharp needles is performed to establish IV access, then access may be achieved in some cases, but patient morbidity and mortality increase due to delays or complications

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIV access establishmentVSAvoidPatient safety and treatment timeliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic element of repeated sharp needle probing by introducing a single-use, impact-driven intraosseous needle system. This device combines the penetration function with a controlled impact mechanism that delivers the needle through the bone in a single decisive motion, eliminating the need for repeated probing and associated complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary preparation by pre-assembling the needle with a protective cap and handle, and pre-loading the impact mechanism. This preliminary configuration allows the operator to simply activate the trigger, which automatically delivers the penetrating action with controlled force, eliminating the need for repeated manual probing during the critical emergency situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If battery-powered drivers are used for intraosseous access, then penetration can be achieved with controlled force, but the device becomes impractical in field conditions without power sources

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveControlled penetration forceVSAvoidField portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the battery-powered electrical/mechanical system with a purely mechanical impact-driven system. The spring-loaded mechanism uses stored mechanical energy that can be manually activated, eliminating the need for batteries or electrical power sources while maintaining controlled penetration force through the impact action. This substitution enables field portability in emergency situations where power sources are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables reliable access to the bone marrow for administering medications and fluids, even in situations where traditional IV access is difficult, providing a life-saving alternative and reducing morbidity and mortality by ensuring timely delivery of critical treatments.

Implementation Method 1

a spring-loaded assembly comprising at least one spring, a rod and a shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

Impact-driven intraosseous needle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS7815642B2Impact-driven intraosseous needle

Publication Date: 2010.10.19 TELEFLEX LIFE SCIENCES II LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for penetrating a bone marrow of a bone is provided. The apparatus includes a housing comprising a handle and a trigger mechanism, a spring-loaded assembly comprising a rod and a shaft; and a connector comprising a first end operable to connect to the drive shaft and a second end operable to attach to a penetrator hub. The penetrator hub includes a penetrator operable to access the bone marrow.