Intramuscular Injection Device
There is a need for protection for anesthesiologists, nurses, and patients during preoperative intramuscular injections, especially when the patients become combative. Currently, clinicians enter and leave the patient's room with the needle completely exposed, putting both the patient and clinician at risk. In partnership with the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital under the direction of Dr. Klossel and Dr. Horvath, research was done by a team of Biomedical Engineering Students to create an Intramuscular Injection Device. This device was created through a series of Voice-of-Customer interviews and an iterative design process with several prototypes. A digital ABS spring-based device was created that fully covers a needle throughout the entire injection process. The device consists of a main housing unit where the syringe is inserted and a slider that functions by placing pressure on a surface such as an arm or leg. A locking mechanism was created and tested to ensure that prior to and after injection, the needle is protected. Once the device was fabricated, a System Usability Survey (SUS) was performed on a group of 13 clinicians. The results of the usability testing provided evidence that the device was easy to use with an average of 4.8/5 and that it increased the safety of the injection process with an average of 4.7/5. Additionally, feedback was received that this device allowed the clinicians to follow a similar workflow to what they typically use and gave them the ability to aspirate the needle if needed during the injection.