Vibratory Thermal Device for Needle Stick Pain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing needle stick pain, such as topical analgesics and vibrating needles, are costly, logistically challenging, and ineffective for children and adults, particularly when used at the needle site rather than proximal to nerve pathways, and often cause vasoconstriction or increased anxiety.
Innovation Solution
A device combining a vibratory source and a thermal source, applied externally between the needle site and the nerve plexus, using a flexible casing with an optional strap for secure placement, allowing concurrent or sequential application of vibration and cold analgesia to reduce pain during needle procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If topical analgesics are applied at the needle site, then pain relief is achieved, but cost increases to US$12-150 per patient use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable or reusable vibration devices that can be applied multiple times at low cost compared to topical analgesics. The vibration device generates analgesic effect through mechanical vibration rather than consuming chemical substances, thereby reducing per-use cost while maintaining pain relief effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical analgesics with a mechanical vibration system. The vibration device uses mechanical oscillation to interfere with pain signal transmission along nerve pathways, substituting the chemical mechanism of topical analgesics with a physical mechanical approach that eliminates the need for expensive pharmaceutical substances.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cold spray is applied at the needle site, then analgesic effect is produced, but vasoconstriction occurs decreasing venipuncture success
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vibration selectively to nerve pathways proximal to the needle site rather than applying cold to the needle site itself. This localized application to specific anatomical targets (nerve pathways) provides analgesic effect without causing vasoconstriction at the venipuncture site, thereby maintaining vein visibility and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses vibration as an intermediary mechanism that indirectly affects pain perception without directly impacting blood flow. Unlike cold spray that directly contacts the needle site and causes vasoconstriction, vibration acts as a mediator that interferes with pain signal transmission through nerve pathways while leaving local blood flow unaffected.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple devices are applied at the needle site for combined vibration and cold therapy, then pain relief is enhanced, but device complexity and logistical problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates vibration generation and cold therapy into a single unified device. The device housing contains both a vibration source (such as an eccentric rotating mass) and a cooling element (such as a refrigerated chamber or cold pack compartment), allowing simultaneous or sequential application of both modalities through one device rather than requiring multiple separate devices to be positioned at the same location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional device that can deliver both vibration and cold therapy through a single unit. This universal device can be applied to various body sites and used for different types of needle procedures, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying logistical requirements for medical practitioners.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration is applied at the needle site, then pain relief is achieved for dental injections, but effectiveness is reduced for other dermal situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent tailors the vibration application to match the specific anatomical and physiological characteristics of different dermal sites. The device allows adjustment of vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, duration) and positioning to target specific nerve pathways appropriate for each procedure type, thereby optimizing effectiveness across diverse dermal situations rather than using a uniform approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic vibration parameters that can be adjusted based on the specific procedure and patient response. The vibration frequency, intensity, and duration can be modified to suit different dermal locations and needle procedures, making the system adaptable and effective across various clinical scenarios rather than being fixed for a single application type.
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 needle stick pain by applying vibrational and thermal analgesia along nerve pathways, enhancing pain relief and reducing anxiety, while being reusable, easy to clean, and adaptable for various power sources, including battery or solar operation.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention more specifically relates to a device using vibration or a combination of vibration and cold that is applied to a patient prior to and/or during the application of a needle or other sharp to the patient for the reduction of the pain associated with the application of the needle
Implementation Method 2
The present invention more specifically relates to a device using vibration or a combination of vibration and cold that is applied to a patient prior to and/or during the application of a needle or other sharp to the patient for the reduction of the pain associated with the application of the needle
Data Source
AI summary
A device that is used to reduce the pain of a needle stick to a person, the device having a casing containing a vibratory device and a temperature reducing device, and a method for using the device to reduce the pain of a needle stick by applying both thermal and vibration analgesia to a subject during a needle stick.