Abstract:
A self-contained medical needle decompression training apparatus is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a hollow body having at least one sidewall, a closed end, an opposing open end and an interior chamber. The apparatus additionally includes a closure device structured and operable to mate with the open end to close the interior chamber and an orifice on the sidewall of the apparatus that is configured to snugly receive a decompression needle. The orifice may include pads or plugs of pliant material to simulate human flesh, simulated ribs on each side of the orifice, and a bladder in the chamber to simulate air pockets in a human body, such as for example a lung. The interior chamber provides a storage space for medical devices to be used in association with the training system, such as for example medical decompression syringes, needles, flesh pads and replaceable bladders.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/694,107, entitled SELF-CONTAINED NEEDLE INSERTION TRAINING SYSTEM, filed on Jan. 26, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/147,372, entitled SELF-CONTAINED NEEDLE INSERTION TRAINING SYSTEM, filed on Jan. 26, 2009. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD 
       [0003]    The present teachings generally relate to medical needle insertion training, and more particularly to a novel self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0005]    Learning the proper skill and precision for safely and effectively inserting a catheter needle, particularly intravenously or for decompression purposes, is a difficult and tedious process. Such training becomes more complex and complicated when the training must occur under field conditions, i.e., at locations other than established medical training facilities such as temporary and/or mobile military medical facilities or bases. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present disclosure provides a self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system. In various embodiments, the system includes a hollow body having at least one sidewall, a closed end, an opposing open end and an interior chamber. The system additionally includes a closure device structured and operable to mate with the open end to close the interior chamber and a simulated cardiovascular vein disposed along an outer surface of the at least one sidewall, wherein the interior chamber provides a storage space for medical devices to be used in association with the training system. 
         [0007]    Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system shown in  FIG. 1 , along line  2 - 2 , having a closure device separated from a body of the system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system shown in  FIG. 1  having a plurality of simulated cardiovascular veins, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a simulated cardiovascular vein included in the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a simulated cardiovascular vein included in the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with other various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a simulated cardiovascular vein included in the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with still other various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an alternate unitized body for the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate closure device for the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the alternate unitized body of  FIG. 8  and a perspective view of the alternate closure device of  FIG. 9 , for the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system of the present invention in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the alternate unitized body and alternate closure device of a self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system of the present invention of  FIG. 10  in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, standing aside a body and closure device of the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system of  FIGS. 1-7  in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system of the present invention having the alternate unitized body of  FIG. 8  in combination with the alternate closure device of  FIG. 9  for the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system of the present invention in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, standing aside the self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system of  FIGS. 1-7  in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses. Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used to refer to like elements. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the present disclosure provides a self-contained catheter intravenous needle insertion training system (“ITS”)  10  that is structured and operable to provide an instrument or tool for users to practice various catheter intravenous needle insertion techniques. 
         [0024]    Generally, the ITS  10  provides expedient and precise skills training for intravenous (“IV”) and needle decompression education. The ITS  10  is structured and functional to be a total self-contained training device, whereby everything that is needed to conduct critical hands on lifesaving IV and needle decompression training is stored within the unit. It is envisioned that the ITS  10  can be used, for example, in the field by the U.S. military to instruct critical combat lifesaver skills to Soldiers and host nation forces, as well as providing an excellent training tool for the classroom setting. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , in various embodiments, the ITS  10  includes a hollow tubular body  14  having at least one sidewall  18 , a closed end  22 , an opposing open end  26  and an interior chamber  30  formed by the wall(s)  18  and the closed end  22 . Although the body  14  can include one or more sidewalls  18 , for clarity and simplicity, the body will be described herein as including a single sidewall  18 . That is, in various embodiments, the body can have a square, rectangular, triangular, etc., cross-section, such that the body  14  includes a plurality of sidewalls  18 , or in various other embodiments, the body can have a circular, oval, elliptical, etc., cross-section, such that the body  14  includes a single circumferential sidewall  18 . However, for simplicity and clarity, the sidewall(s)  18  will be referred to herein in the singular, e.g., sidewall  18 . 
         [0026]    The ITS  10  additionally includes a closure device  34  that is structured and operable to engage or mate with the open end  26  of the body  14  to close off the interior chamber  30  such that at least one medical device  38 , to be used in association with the ITS  10 , can be removably stored within the interior chamber  30 . The at least one medical device  38  can be any device, mechanism, substance, applicator, accessory, component, tablet, capsule, caplet, etc. to be used in association with the ITS  10 , e.g., a hypodermic syringe and associated needle assemblies, an intravenous catheter device and associated needle assemblies, decompression device and associated needle assemblies for evacuating air from a wound, alcohol or iodine swaps, scissors, a knife, tweezers, injectable medications, oral medications, a suture kit, etc. 
         [0027]    In various implementations, the ITS  10  can include an annular collar  42  that is fixed to the body  14  at a first end to provide the open end  26  that is matable with the closure device  34 . In other embodiments, the open end  26  can be configured to removably mate with the closure device  34  without an annular collar  42 . Further, while the closure device  34  is depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  as a threaded plug with a square protrusion that is used as a grip surface to effectuate the turning of the closure device  34  to open and close the ITS  10 , the square protrusion can alternatively be configured in any number of readily understood configurations to provide a reasonable shape and surface to grip the closure device  34  for such opening and closing. For example, the closure device  34  can be configured as a cap having a knurled outer surface with no square protrusion, where the knurled outer surface provides a grip to enable the opening and closing of the ITS  10  with the closure device  34 . (See  FIGS. 9-12 ). Likewise, the closure device  34  may alternatively be configured, for example, as a threaded cap  100  having at its distal end an annular plate  102  that extends radially beyond the outer diameter of the body of the cap  100  to provide a knurled gripping surface  104  along the outer edge of the annular ring  102 . 
         [0028]    In further embodiments, the ITS  10  can include a cap  46  that is fixed to the body at a second end to provide the closed end  22 . Alternatively, in various embodiments, the body  14  can be a single structure of unitary construction, e.g., a molded canister-like structure, having the closed and open ends  22  and  26  integrally formed with the sidewall  18 . (See  FIGS. 8-12 ). 
         [0029]    The closure device  34  can be any device structured and operable to allow the open end  26  of the body  14  to be securely covered when it is desired to close off the interior chamber  30 , and be removed from, or disengaged with, the open end  26  to allow access to the interior chamber  30 . That is, the closure device  34  can be any device structured and operable to allow the ITS  10  to be opened and closed as desired to respectively allow or prevent access to the interior chamber  30 . For example, in various embodiments, the closure device  34  can be a plug that is structured and operable to threadingly or frictionally engage the body  14  at or near the open end  26 . Alternatively, in various embodiments, the closure device  34  can be a lid, door or any other structure, device or mechanism that is pivotally, rotatingly or hingedly connected to the body  14  at or near the open end  26  such that the structure, device or mechanism can be secured in a closed position, via any suitable latching device, and pivotally, rotatingly or hingedly moved to an open position upon release or uncoupling of the latching device. 
         [0030]    Hence, the medical device(s)  38  can be placed in the interior chamber  18  and stored therein by placing the closure device  34  in a closed position, wherein the closure device  34  securely engages the body  14  at or near the open end  26 . Subsequently, the medical device(s)  38  can be removed from the interior chamber  30  by placing the closure device  34  in an open position, wherein the closure device  34  is disengaged from the body open end  26 , i.e., removed from or moved away from the body open end  26 , thereby allowing access to the interior chamber  30 . 
         [0031]    With further reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , the ITS  10  further includes one or more simulated cardiovascular veins  50  disposed along an outer surface of the body sidewall  18 . As described further below, each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  is structured and operable to simulate a human cardiovascular vein such that a user of the ITS  10  can practice the proper technique of inserting a catheter intravenous needle into an actual human cardiovascular vein. Each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  is an elastomeric tube, or tubing, constructed of a suitable material, e.g., rubber or other elastic polymer or compound, sized and structured to simulate the feel, density, thickness and pliability of a human cardiovascular vein. 
         [0032]    In various embodiments, each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  has opposing ends that are inserted through a respective pair of apertures  54  formed in the sidewall  18  near the closed and open ends  22  and  26  of the body. More particularly, the ends of the each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  extend through the respective apertures  54  into the interior chamber  30  where the ends are secured, via any suitable securing means, e.g., a clamp or knot, such that at least a portion of each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  between the respective ends is disposed along the outside of the outer surface of the body sidewall  18 . Accordingly, the portion of each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  disposed along the outside of the outer surface of the body sidewall  18  is accessible by the user for use in practicing the proper technique of inserting a catheter intravenous needle into an actual human cardiovascular vein, as described further below. 
         [0033]    In various embodiments, each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  has a length such that a supplementary portion of each vein  50  is disposed within the interior chamber  30  to provide additional simulated vein material for replacing the portion of each vein  50  disposed along the outside of the outer surface of the body sidewall  18 . That is, as the portion of each vein  50  disposed along the outside of the outer surface of the body sidewall  18  deteriorates from use, the securing means of one end of the respective vein  50  can be released and the deteriorated portion can be pulled into the interior chamber  30  or alternatively removed and discarded. Simultaneously, the supplementary portion of the respective vein  50  can be pulled to the outside of the body  14  and disposed along the outer surface of the body sidewall  18 , thereby replacing the deteriorated portion. 
         [0034]    In various embodiments, the ITS  10  further includes a simulated flesh pad  58  disposed on the outer surface of the body sidewall  18  between the simulated cardiovascular vein(s)  50  and the sidewall  18 . The simulated flesh pad  58  is structured and functional to simulate the density and pliability of human flesh adjacent, for example, the cardiovascular veins in a human forearm or hand. Additionally, in various embodiments, the ITS  10  includes a simulated skin jacket  62  disposed around the outer surface of the body sidewall  18  over the simulated cardiovascular vein(s)  50 . The simulated skin jacket  62  is structured and functional to simulate the density and pliability of human skin adjacent the cardiovascular veins in a human forearm or hand. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , in various embodiments, the ITS  10  further includes a needle decompression training orifice  66  extending through the sidewall  18 . The needle decompression training orifice  66  is structured and functional to allow a user to practice inserting the needle of a decompression syringe into the chest of a patient to evacuate air from the patient&#39;s chest cavity, as described further below. In various implementations, a clavicle simulation pad  70  is positioned on the outer surface of the hollow body atop the needle depression training orifice  66 . The clavicle simulation pad  70  is structured to simulate the feel, density, thickness and pliability of human clavicle tissue. 
         [0036]    Furthermore, in various embodiments, the ITS  10  includes a plurality of the simulated cardiovascular veins  50  and the needle decompression training orifice  66  is formed within the sidewall  18  between a pair of adjacent simulated cardiovascular veins  50 , such that the adjacent simulated cardiovascular veins  50  simulate the ribs of a human torso skeletal structure. For example, in various implementations, the adjacent simulated cardiovascular veins  50  can simulate the second and third ribs of a human torso skeletal structure. Still further, in various embodiments, the ITS  10  can include an inflatable air sack  74  structured and operable to be inflated and placed into the interior storage chamber  30  adjacent the needle decompression training orifice  66 . Therefore, if a user properly inserts the needle of a decompression syringe into the needle decompression training orifice  66 , simulating proper insertion of the needle into the chest cavity of a patient, the air sack  74  will be pierced and the air can be evacuated via the decompression syringe, as described in detail below. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , in various embodiments, one or more of the simulated cardiovascular veins  50  houses a gas, such as air, to simulate dry intravenous needle insertion. For example, in various embodiments, each simulated cardiovascular vein  50  includes a center bore  78  that extends along the entire length of the respective vein  50 . In various implementations, the center bore  78  of one or more simulated cardiovascular veins  50  can be filed with a gas, such as air, for simulated dry intravenous needle insertion. 
         [0038]    Conversely, in other various embodiments, one or more of the simulated cardiovascular veins  50  houses a liquid to simulate wet intravenous needle insertion. For example, in various implementations, the center bore  78  of one or more simulated cardiovascular veins  50  can be filled with a liquid, such as colored saline solution, for simulated wet intravenous needle insertion. Therefore, if a user properly inserts a needle into the vein  50 , the user can draw, or extract, some or all of the liquid from the center bore  78 . Further, in yet other various embodiments, the liquid may be held under pressure within vein  50  to provide more realistic simulation of human veins and arteries. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in various other embodiments, the center bore  78  of one or more simulated cardiovascular veins  50  can include a single fluid reservoir  82  that is filled with a liquid, such as colored saline solution, to simulate wet intravenous needle insertion. Therefore, if a user properly inserts a needle into the single fluid reservoir  82  of the vein  50 , the user can draw, or extract, some or all of the liquid from the single fluid reservoir  82 . In other various embodiments, the liquid may be held under pressure within the single fluid reservoir  82  to provide more realistic simulation of human veins and arteries. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in yet other embodiments, the center bore  78  of one or more simulated cardiovascular veins  50  can include a plurality of reservoirs  86  wherein at least one of the reservoirs  86  is filled with a fluid, such as colored saline solution, to simulate wet intravenous needle insertion. Therefore, if a user properly inserts a needle into one of the reservoirs  86  filled with fluid, the user can draw, or extract, some or all of the fluid from the fluid respective reservoir. Such embodiments allow the user to perform multiple simulated wet intravenous needle insertions into a single respective simulated cardiovascular vein  50  by utilizing each of the reservoirs  86  filled with fluid. Accordingly, to increase the number of simulated wet intravenous needle insertions that can be performed using each simulated cardiovascular vein  50 , the number of reservoirs  86  within each respective vein  50  can be increased and/or the number of reservoirs  86  filled with fluid can be increased. For example, two or more adjacent reservoirs  86 , or all of the reservoirs  86  can be filled with fluid. In other various embodiments, the fluid may be held under pressure within one or more of the reservoirs  86  to provide more realistic simulation of human veins and arteries. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , in various embodiments, the ITS  10 , e.g., the body  14 , can be sized to approximate the average size of a human forearm or wrist such that the ITS  10  can be securely held and stabilized with one hand of the user, leaving the user&#39;s other hand free to practice needle insertion techniques, as described below. 
         [0042]    Operation and use of the ITS  10  will now be described. As described above, the ITS  10  can be utilized to simulate dry intravenous needle insertion. For example, in various embodiments, one or more of the simulated cardiovascular veins  50  of the ITS  10  can be utilized to practice inserting an IV needle and advancing an associated catheter into the vein  50 . To perform such a dry intravenous needle insertion training procedure utilizing the ITS  10 , the user places the closure device  34  in the open position and removes the desired medical device  38 , e.g., an  18  gauge catheter needle, saline lock and custom IV line, from the interior chamber  30 . The user may then replace the closure device  34  in the annular ring  42  to close the SCNHITS  10 . Next, the user positions the ITS  10 , for example, in one of the user&#39;s hands. Alternatively, the user may position the SCNHITS  10 , for example, on a table top or in his/her lap with one hand supporting the device. The user will then complete a pre-execution check of the IV supplies, e.g., the  18  gauge catheter needle, saline lock and custom IV line, to ensure good serviceability, and place them within reach. Subsequently, using proper technique, the user holds the needle between his/her index finger and thumb and removes a safety cap from the needle. With the opposite hand, using his/her thumb and index finger, the user forms the letter “C” and positions his/her index finger over the selected simulated cardiovascular vein  50  and above the injection site, (this will keep the vein  50  from rolling and act as a pressure point to slow blood loss from an actual needle insertion, once the needle is removed). Subsequently, the user positions his/her thumb below the injection site and applies a small amount of downward tension pulling the simulated skin jacket  62  taunt. The thumb may also be used as a support for the needle to ensure a  45 ° angle. 
         [0043]    Next, the user positions the needle at approximately a  45 ° angle with the bevel edge of the needle facing upward and slowly inserts the needle into the vein  50 . Due to the construction of the simulated cardiovascular veins  50 , the user will feel a small amount of resistance as the needle advances through the simulated skin  62  and the wall of the vein  50 . Once the needle is properly inserted, the user repositions his/her thumb to allow the needle to drop down to above the skin level. Next, the user slowly advances the needle approximately another ¼ of an inch into the vein  50 . Without moving the needle, the user slowly advances the catheter into the simulated vein  50 . Next, while continuing to apply pressure with his/her index finger above the injection site, the user removes the needle, leaving the catheter in place. 
         [0044]    As also described above, the ITS  10  can be utilized to simulate wet intravenous needle insertion. For example, in various embodiments, one or more of the simulated cardiovascular veins  50  of the ITS  10  can be filled with a liquid, as described above, and be utilized to practice inserting an IV needle and obtaining an actual “flash” of blood in the needle chamber. Similar to the dry intravenous needle insertion training procedure described above, to perform such a wet intravenous needle insertion training procedure utilizing the ITS  10 , the user places the closure device  34  in the open position and removes the desired medical device  38 , e.g., a syringe and associated needle assembly, from the interior chamber  30 . The user may then replace the closure device  34  in the annular ring  42  to close the SCNHITS  10 . Next, the user positions the ITS  10 , for example, in one of the user&#39;s hands. Alternatively, the user may position the SCNHITS  10 , for example, on a table top or in his/her lap with one hand supporting the device. The user will then complete a pre-execution check of the IV supplies, e.g., the syringe and associated needle assembly, to ensure good serviceability, and place them within reach. Subsequently, using proper technique, the user holds the needle between his/her index finger and thumb and removes a safety cap from the needle. With the opposite hand, using his/her thumb and index finger, the user forms the letter “C” and positions his/her index finger over the selected simulated cardiovascular vein  50  and above the injection site, (this will keep the vein  50  from rolling and act as a pressure point to slow blood loss from an actual needle insertion, once the needle is removed). Subsequently, the user positions his/her thumb below the injection site and applies a small amount of downward tension pulling the simulated skin jacket  62  taunt. The thumb may also be used as a support for the needle to ensure a 45° angle. 
         [0045]    Next, the user positions the needle at approximately a 45° angle with the bevel edge of the needle facing upward and slowly inserts the needle into the vein  50 . Due to the construction of the simulated cardiovascular veins  50 , the user will feel a small amount of resistance as the needle advances through the simulated skin  62  and the wall of the vein  50 . Once the needle is properly inserted, the user repositions his/her thumb to allow the needle to drop down to above the skin level. Next, the user slowly advances the needle approximately another ¼ of an inch into the vein  50 . If the needle is properly inserted into the liquid filled vein  50  (or, in other embodiments, the single liquid filled reservoir  82  or one of the plurality of liquid filled reservoirs  86 ), the user will see a “flash” of liquid in the chamber of the syringe, simulating a “flash” of blood into the syringe chamber during an actual wet intravenous needle insertion. Once the syringe is filled with liquid, i.e., simulated blood, the user again applies pressure with his/her index finger above the injection site, and removes the needle. 
         [0046]    As further described above, the ITS  10  can be utilized to perform needle decompression training. To perform such needle decompression training, the user places the closure device  34  in the open position and removes the desired medical device  38 , e.g., a decompression syringe and a  14  gauge catheter needle, from the interior chamber  30 , as described above. In various implementations, the user can next inflate the air sack  74  and insert the air sack  74  into the interior chamber  30  beneath the needle depression training orifice  66 . The user may then replace the closure device  34  in the annular ring  42  to close the SCNHITS  10 . Next, the user completes all pre-execution checks of equipment and positions the ITS  10 , for example, in one of the user&#39;s hands. Alternatively, the user may position the SCNHITS  10 , for example, on a table top or in his/her lap with one hand supporting the device. The user then identifies the proper insertion site between the two adjacent cardiovascular simulated veins  50 , to simulate locating the middle of a human clavicle between the second and third ribs. Subsequently, the user removes the safety cap from the 14 gauge needle and holds the needle at approximately a 90° angle to the injection site, i.e., above the needle depression training orifice  66 . Then, applying firm, but gentle, pressure the user advances the needle through the simulated skin jacket  62  and flesh pad  58 . The user continues to advance the needle until the catheter hub is against the simulated skin jacket  62 . Then, while holding the catheter needle in place, the user removes the needle, secures the catheter hub in place with tape and attaches a small flutter valve to the hub. Decompression can then be verified by checking the air sack  74  to determine whether the air from within the air sack  74  has been evacuated. 
         [0047]    The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is described are intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.