Wrist-Mounted Pilot Needle Manager for Sterile Sharps Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aesthetic cosmetic procedures face challenges with sharps holders that are non-sterile, cumbersome, and increase the risk of contamination and accidental needle sticks due to their design, which fails to safely and efficiently manage micro-cannulas and pilot needles.
Innovation Solution
A wrist-worn pilot needle manager with a band, clips, and covers that securely holds micro-cannulas and pilot needles in distinct orientations, maintaining sterility and safety by preventing accidental contact and drops, while allowing easy identification and transition between tools without requiring manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sharps holders (cotton balls, plastic caps, clips) are used to hold needles and micro-cannulas, then the devices are simple and inexpensive, but they increase the risk of contamination, accidental needle sticks, and dropping of sharps
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first region for holding the pilot needle with its protective cap, and a second region for holding the micro-cannula. This segmentation allows each sharps to be held in an optimized orientation (needle horizontally, micro-cannula vertically) to minimize contamination and accidental contact risks while maintaining overall device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap serves as an intermediary element that holds the pilot needle in a safe, sterile state before use. The cap prevents accidental needle sticks and maintains sterility until the pilot needle is needed, at which point it can be quickly removed and the micro-cannula deployed from the adjacent region
2Reliability
If non-sterile holders (clips, sleeves) are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot needle is pre-loaded with its protective cap in the first region of the bracelet, and the micro-cannula is pre-positioned in the second region. This preliminary arrangement ensures both sharps are in their sterile, protected states before the procedure begins, eliminating the need for complex sterile handling procedures during the cosmetic treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The bracelet structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a sterile barrier, a positioning mechanism, a safety device, and a quick-access holder. The elastic band and clip mechanism provide universal applicability while maintaining sterility through the sealed first region containing the pilot needle and cap
3Ease of operation
If cumbersome sharps holders requiring two hands to operate are used, then device complexity is low, but ease of operation deteriorates and risk of dropping needles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracelet is designed to be self-retaining through the elastic band and clip mechanism, requiring no continuous manual operation to maintain. Once attached to the practitioner's wrist, it automatically holds both the pilot needle and micro-cannula in secure positions, freeing both hands for the cosmetic procedure while eliminating the risk of dropping sharps
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from traditional table-top or hand-held holders to a wrist-mounted configuration. This dimensional change places the sharps in immediate proximity to the practitioner's hands, enabling one-handed operation and quick access during the procedure without requiring the other hand to manipulate the holder
4Reliability
If traditional holders are used, then manufacturing cost is low, but the risk of contamination and accidental contact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracelet is manufactured as a segmented device with distinct sealed regions for the pilot needle and micro-cannula. This segmentation allows each compartment to be independently sealed and sterilized, maintaining sterility while using simple, inexpensive materials like elastic band, plastic clips, and caps that are easy to manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
A wrist mounted band onto which a clip for an introducer (also known as a pilot needle) in a cap is affixed along with a micro-cannula and a cover. The introducer and micro-cannula are held substantially parallel to the long axis of the wrist band. The attachment points of the introducer and micro-cannula are adjacent on the exterior surface of the band. As the band is wrapped around the wrist the axis of the introducer and micro-cannula become perpendicular to each other and both parallel to the long axis of the band. A user can then store the introducer and its cap affixed to the band and the micro-cannula in its cover affixed to the band at known orientations. The user can then remove and reinstall the introducer and micro-cannula as needed throughout a surgical procedure.