Transparent Needle Extension for Flashback Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing venipuncture devices require complex and expensive venting structures to visualize 'flashback' during blood collection, and those without venting mechanisms necessitate inserting a vacuum tube to observe blood flow, complicating the process.

Innovation Solution

A needle assembly with a transparent extension and cannulas that allows visualization of 'flashback' without venting, featuring a housing with a base portion and an extension defining a lumen, where the extension is made of transparent material to magnify contents and facilitate vein entry confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex venting structures are used to visualize flashback, then flashback visualization is achieved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflashback visualizationVSAvoidventing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the flashback visualization function from the complex venting structure and relocates it to the extension component. The extension, which already exists as part of the needle assembly housing, is made transparent and used to display flashback, eliminating the need for separate venting structures with flashback chambers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The extension component serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural element of the needle assembly housing and a flashback visualization medium. By making the extension transparent and positioning it in the fluid pathway, it simultaneously provides structural support and visual feedback without requiring additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If complex venting structures are used to visualize flashback, then flashback visualization is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflashback visualizationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the existing extension component, which is already part of the disposable needle assembly, for flashback visualization. This approach avoids adding permanent or expensive components to achieve flashback visualization, keeping the solution consistent with the disposable nature of the product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If no venting structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but flashback cannot be observed without inserting a vacuum tube

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing structureVSAvoidflashback observation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares the extension for flashback visualization in advance by making it transparent and positioning it in the fluid pathway before the procedure. This preliminary preparation allows flashback to be observed immediately when blood flows through the needle, without requiring the additional step of inserting a vacuum tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If a transparent extension is used for flashback visualization, then flashback can be observed without venting, but the extension must be precisely positioned in the fluid pathway

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflashback observationVSAvoidextension positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the flashback visualization function with the existing extension component of the needle assembly. By integrating the visualization function into an already-positioned structural element rather than adding a separate component, the need for additional precise positioning is eliminated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 immediate visualization of vein entry without the need for venting, simplifying the blood collection process and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the requirement for complex venting structures.

Implementation Method 1

The extension may be configured to magnify contents therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical magnification: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS9066690B2Blood collection needle assembly

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 KPR U S LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a needle assembly for viewing flashback during a blood collection procedure. The needle assembly including a housing having a base portion defining a cavity and an extension extending distally from the base portion, the extension being of a transparent material and defining a lumen therethrough, a first cannula supported within the extension and extending distally from the extension, the first cannula having a piercing tip configured to enter a vessel, and a second cannula supported within the cavity of the base portion, wherein the second cannula is fluidly communicated with the first cannula via the lumen formed in the extension.