Vibratory Needle Pain Reduction Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Many individuals fear needles, leading to a decrease in willingness to undergo medical procedures, vaccines, and tests, and existing methods for reducing needle pain, such as topical analgesics, are costly and have limitations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hollow body with a vibratory motor that transmits vibrations of variable frequency and voltage, a switch to control the motor, and a tip with a contact element that can be positioned on the skin to produce vibrational analgesia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If topical analgesics are used to reduce needle pain, then pain relief is achieved, but cost increases to between US$12 and US$150 per patient use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical analgesics with a mechanical vibration system. A vibratory element delivers controlled vibrations to the needle insertion site, blocking pain signals through mechanical means rather than chemical application, thereby eliminating the cost of topical analgesic substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vibration delivery device as an intermediary between the needle and the patient's skin. This intermediary mechanism (vibratory element with controlled frequency and amplitude) modulates pain perception without requiring costly chemical substances, providing a cost-effective alternative.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If topical analgesics are applied to reduce needle pain, then pain relief is achieved, but application time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration device is activated immediately before needle insertion and continues during the procedure. This preliminary action blocks pain signals in real-time without requiring prolonged pre-application periods, enabling rapid deployment and reducing overall procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting chemical application processes with mechanical vibration delivery, the system eliminates time-consuming application steps (spreading, drying, setting) associated with topical analgesics, providing instant pain relief upon activation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If topical analgesics are used to reduce needle pain, then pain relief is achieved, but venipuncture success decreases due to vasoconstriction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical analgesics that cause vasoconstriction with a mechanical vibration system. The vibratory element delivers controlled mechanical stimulation that blocks pain signals without affecting blood flow, thereby maintaining vein visibility and accessibility for successful venipuncture.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration delivery device serves as an intermediary that provides pain relief through mechanical means without the physiological side effects of topical analgesics. The controlled vibrations block pain signals while leaving vascular function unchanged, ensuring venipuncture success.
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 effectively reduces pain by producing a vibrational analgesia effect when the contact element is applied to the skin before and during needle insertion, enhancing the comfort of medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a vibratory motor mounted in the hollow body configured for transmitting vibrations of variable frequency and/or voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for reducing pain in a subject includes providing a device with a hollow body having at least two ends, a vibratory motor mounted in the hollow body configured for transmitting vibrations of variable frequency and/or voltage, a switch on the body to turn the vibratory motor on and off, and a tip. The tip includes a proximal section removably coupled to one end of the body, a distal section extending forwardly from the body, and a contact element on the distal section, wherein the contact element has an open geometric shape.