Design of a mechanical clutch-based needle-insertion device

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Innovation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Insertion of medical devices like trocars and catheters can lead to significant complications due to unintended tissue or compartment access.
• Current techniques for device placement often rely on anatomical landmarks and clinical expertise, with blind needle passes increasing procedural risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a purely mechanical clutch system for medical devices to improve safety and accuracy during tissue access.
• To address the limitations of current methods by providing a simple, non-electronic solution for controlled insertion.

Main Methods:

• A mechanical clutch system was designed, utilizing a buckled filament within an S-shaped tube to transmit force.
• The system locks when resistance is met, advancing the needle and filament together, and unlocks upon reaching the target.
• Oil industry models were adapted for analysis, and a predictive model was validated with empirical data.

Main Results:

• Prototypes of the device were developed based on the analytical model.
• In vitro testing on muscle tissue and in vivo testing on a porcine laparoscopic model demonstrated promising results.
• The clutch system effectively controlled needle advancement and facilitated targeted insertion.

Conclusions:

• The developed mechanical clutch system offers a promising, purely mechanical solution to reduce complications associated with medical device insertion.
• This innovation has the potential to enhance safety and reduce reliance on clinical skill for procedures requiring tissue access.