Acupuncture Needle Elliptical Grip Bending Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional acupuncture needles face issues such as bending, wobbling, and discomfort during insertion, especially when inserted into the side surface of the face, and a smaller cross-sectional shape to reduce bending makes them difficult to handle.

Innovation Solution

The acupuncture needle features a needle grip with a cross-sectional shape that is an ellipse, which reduces bending and wobbling, while maintaining ease of handling and grip, by ensuring the major axis is the longest side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the cross-sectional shape of the needle grip is made smaller to reduce bending, then the bending resistance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending resistanceVSAvoidease of handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle grip employs an elliptical cross-sectional shape instead of a circular one, creating asymmetric geometry that provides both structural stability and ergonomic advantages. The elongated shape along the longitudinal axis increases bending resistance while the optimized dimensions maintain comfortable hand contact area, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cross-sectional shape is made smaller to reduce wobbling, then the stability during insertion is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewobbling resistanceVSAvoidease of handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elliptical cross-section with specific axis ratios creates asymmetric geometric properties that reduce wobbling during insertion while maintaining sufficient grip surface area. The shape provides natural alignment guidance and reduced rotational instability without compromising the handler's ability to grasp and control the needle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cross-sectional shape is changed to ellipse, then the bending and wobbling are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion stabilityVSAvoidcross-sectional shape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetric elliptical geometry to the needle grip cross-section, which provides enhanced stability during insertion while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing feasibility. The elliptical shape is a basic geometric form that can be produced through standard manufacturing processes, avoiding excessive complexity despite the departure from conventional circular sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3919038B1Acupuncture needle
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 SEIRIN
  • EP3919038B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3919038B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3919038B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

[Objective] An object of the instant application is to provide an acupuncture needle with good usability. SOLUTION: An acupuncture needle 1 is an acupuncture needle 1 including a needle body 2 having a needle tip portion 2a at a leading end thereof, and a needle grip 3 attached to a base end portion of the needle body 2. A cross-sectional shape crossing a longitudinal direction of the needle grip 3 is an ellipse.