Handheld multi-needle vascular access device
Inventors
Franklin, Curtis J. • FISHER, Luke William • Atkinson, Elijah • KRUMMENACHER, Todd J. • Eliason, Jonathan L.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10806903-B2
Publication Date
2020-10-20
Expiration Date
2037-06-20
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Abstract
A handheld vascular access device for gaining access to a patient's vessel includes a hub, a plurality of access needles and a manifold. The hub has an inner wall and side walls that define a plurality of ports. Each of the plurality of ports has a proximal port end and a distal port end. The proximal port ends define a proximal cross-sectional area and the distal port ends define a distal cross-sectional area. The proximal cross-sectional areas are greater than the distal cross-sectional areas. Each of the plurality of ports taper from the proximal port end to the distal port end. The plurality of hollow access needles is arranged along a plane and fixedly coupled to the distal end of the hub. Each of the plurality of needles has a tip. The manifold removably engages the hub at the proximal end of the hub.
Core Innovation
The invention is a handheld multi-needle vascular access device designed to provide rapid and consistent access to a patient’s vessel without requiring a needle guidance system. The device consists of a hub with ports that taper from larger proximal ends to smaller distal ends, a plurality of hollow access needles arranged along a plane and coupled to the distal end of the hub, and a manifold that can engage and disengage from the hub at its proximal end. Each needle is aligned with a port, and the manifold includes projections that align with the ports to enable fluid communication.
This device addresses the problem associated with traditional vascular access procedures, like the Seldinger technique, which are often unsuitable for uncontrolled environments due to the need for specialized guidance systems such as ultrasound. In field settings—such as on battlefields, at serious accident sites, or in other emergencies—medical professionals frequently lack the equipment and conditions required to achieve reliable vascular access using existing techniques, resulting in increased risk and potential failure of access when using a single needle.
The device allows medical professionals to simultaneously insert multiple hollow access needles, increasing the likelihood of accessing the target vessel quickly. By observing which needle aspirates the most blood, the practitioner can determine which needle has accessed the desired blood vessel. The geometry of the ports and needles, including tapered hubs and even or optionally uneven spacing, facilitates easy guidewire insertion and manipulation for subsequent medical procedures. The device is intended to be easily handled and manipulated at various angles, making it suitable for use in different parts of the body and enhancing the ability to achieve vascular access rapidly and safely without reliance on imaging or preset guides.
Claims Coverage
There are three independent claims in this patent, each defining inventive features relating to the handheld multi-needle vascular access device, its structural arrangement, and functional components.
Handheld multi-needle vascular access device with tapered ports and manifold
The device comprises a discrete hub with a proximal end, distal end, top wall, bottom wall, and side walls, defining a plurality of ports that each have a proximal port end and a distal port end. The proximal port end cross-sectional areas are greater than the distal port end cross-sectional areas, with each port tapering from the proximal to the distal end. A plurality of hollow access needles are arranged along a plane and fixedly coupled to the distal end of the hub. Each needle has a proximal needle end coupled to the hub and a tip. The device includes a manifold independently engageable with the ports of the hub by friction fit, the manifold having a housing with an internal cavity in fluid communication with the ports when engaged.
Handheld multi-needle vascular access device with aligned recesses in top wall
The access device includes a hub as previously described with ports tapering from larger proximal to smaller distal ends, and a plurality of hollow access needles arranged along a plane and fixedly coupled to the distal end of the hub. A removable manifold engages the hub at the proximal end. Notably, the top wall contains a plurality of recesses disposed along the proximal end and aligned with the ports, the recesses extending toward the distal end. These recesses facilitate guidewire insertion and alignment.
Handheld multi-needle vascular access device with manifold projections and lumens
The access device features a hub with tapered ports, a plurality of hollow access needles fixed to the distal end of the hub, and a removable manifold that engages the hub at its proximal end. The manifold comprises a housing with an internal cavity and a plurality of projections extending distally from the housing, each projection alignable with a port. Each projection includes a projection lumen extending from the internal cavity to the distal end of the projection, ensuring fluid communication for each port and needle.
Collectively, the claims cover the structure and function of a handheld multi-needle vascular access device with tapered ports and ports' geometric relationships, manifold engagement, features aiding guidewire insertion, and fluidic manifold structures for safe and efficient vascular access in diverse settings.
Stated Advantages
The device provides rapid vascular access without the need for a needle guidance system, such as ultrasound, making it suitable for use in field and emergency settings.
By including a plurality of hollow access needles, the probability of achieving vascular access on the first attempt is increased, thereby reducing potential failures associated with single needle techniques.
The device allows for easier manipulation and use at any desired angle relative to the patient’s skin, enabling access to different blood vessels in various parts of the body.
The tapered port and needle arrangement allows for easier insertion of a guidewire and less restrictive fluid flow during procedures.
Components such as distance markings and guidewire alignment recesses assist practitioners in monitoring depth and facilitate guidewire placement.
Documented Applications
Vascular access for emergency medical intervention at scenes of severe injury, such as battlefields, traffic accidents, and gunshot wounds.
Use of the device for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion (REBOA) of the aorta to maintain blood flow to vital organs during trauma.
Vascular access procedures performed by medical professionals, paramedics, and military medics in field or uncontrolled environments where standard guidance systems are impractical.
Access to various blood vessels such as the femoral artery or vein, brachial artery or vein, or radial artery or vein.
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