Spring-Loaded IV Catheter Placement with Concealed Needle Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IV catheter-placement devices have longer needles that can frighten patients, particularly those with needle phobia, and are insufficient for implanted ports, requiring even longer catheters and needles, further exacerbating patient anxiety.

Innovation Solution

An IV catheter-placement device with a cartridge and case, featuring a spring-loaded needle, a deployment button, and an opaque case that hides the needle length, allowing for one-handed operation and complete needle retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the needle length is increased to accommodate implanted ports, then the catheter placement capability is improved, but patient anxiety increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter placement capabilityVSAvoidpatient anxiety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the needle from the visible portion of the device by placing it inside a transparent case, separating the functional needle component from the visual field of the patient. This allows the needle to be long enough for implanted port placement while being hidden from the patient's view, thereby reducing anxiety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a transparent case that appears clear to the patient, effectively changing the visual property of the device from opaque and alarming to transparent and reassuring. This allows the long needle to be concealed while maintaining device functionality for deep tissue penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the needle length is increased for implanted ports, then the catheter advancement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter advancement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the long needle inside the transparent case, with the needle housed within the barrel structure. This nesting arrangement allows the needle to be protected and organized within the device footprint, managing the complexity of having a long needle while maintaining a compact overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to automatically retract the needle after catheter placement, eliminating the need for manual needle retraction. This preliminary preparation of the retraction mechanism simplifies the overall operation despite the increased needle length required for implanted ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a transparent case is used to hide the needle, then patient anxiety is reduced, but the needle retraction capability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient anxietyVSAvoidneedle retraction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service retraction system where a spring mechanism automatically pulls the needle back into the barrel after the catheter is placed. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually retract the needle, making the process easier despite the transparent case concealing the needle's movement from view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical retraction with an automatic spring-based mechanical system. The spring is pre-compressed and automatically engages to retract the needle, substituting the operator's manual action with an automated mechanical process that works regardless of whether the needle is visible through the transparent case.

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

The device reduces patient anxiety by concealing the needle length and enables efficient placement of longer catheters and needles, suitable for implanted ports, with a one-handed operation.

Implementation Method 1

A spring compressed between a needle hub and the distal-end portion of the barrel is released when the deployment button slides into the release button. An entirety of the needle is subsequently launched into a needle cavity of the barrel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12440652B2Intravenous catheter-placement device and method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 BARD PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INC

AI summary

An IV catheter-placement device and method thereof. The IV catheter-placement device can include a cartridge and a case fixedly disposed over the cartridge. The cartridge can include a barrel having a release button, a spring-loaded needle extending from the barrel, and an IV catheter including a catheter hub slidably disposed over the needle. The case can include a deployment button configured to slide the IV catheter over the needle. The deployment button can also be configured to press the release button when the deployment button slides into the release button. A spring compressed between a needle hub and a distal-end portion of the barrel can be released when the deployment button slides into the release button. An entirety of the needle is subsequently launched into a needle cavity of the barrel.