Angled Needle Cannula Proximal End for Septum Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing injection devices face challenges in minimizing the risk of coring when penetrating septums or seal structures, which can lead to material damage and inefficiencies during the injection process.

Innovation Solution

A needle cannula design featuring a proximal end with an angled surface that intersects with the sidewall, forming a leading portion and a heel portion, where the leading portion is angled between 60 to 85 degrees and the heel portion between 50 to 75 degrees, allowing for controlled penetration without significant coring, and optionally having blunted edges to prevent incising.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle penetrates a septum to establish fluid communication, then fluid communication is achieved, but coring of the septum may occur causing material damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid communicationVSAvoidcoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip is segmented into distinct functional zones: a leading portion with a first angle (60-85 degrees) for initial penetration, and a heel portion with a second angle (50-75 degrees) for sealing. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function, enabling reliable fluid communication while minimizing coring through the controlled penetration sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the needle tip are given different geometric properties. The leading portion has a steeper angle (60-85 degrees) optimized for penetrating the septum, while the heel portion has a shallower angle (50-75 degrees) optimized for sealing against the inner wall. This local differentiation of geometric quality enables the needle to simultaneously achieve penetration and prevent coring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the needle tip is designed to penetrate the septum, then fluid communication is established, but the risk of coring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepenetrationVSAvoidcoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip geometry is defined by specific angular parameters: the leading portion angle (60-85 degrees) and heel portion angle (50-75 degrees). By optimizing these angular parameters, the needle achieves easy penetration through the septum while the controlled angle progression prevents coring, thus improving ease of operation without increasing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple needle design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the risk of coring is not minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneedle designVSAvoidcoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip is divided into two angular segments (leading portion and heel portion) that can be manufactured using standard grinding or machining operations. This segmentation provides a coring-minimizing solution while remaining compatible with conventional manufacturing processes, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while reducing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3562534B1A needle cannula, an injection needle assembly for an injection device and an injection device comprising such assembly
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 NOVO NORDISK AS
  • EP3562534B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3562534B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3562534B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A needle cannula for an injection device, extends along a central axis and comprises: a) a skin piercing distal end (133b), b) a proximal end (133a) configured for penetrating a seal structure (102b) of a medicament container (102), and c) a sidewall extending between the skin piercing distal end (133b) and the proximal end (133a), wherein the proximal end (133a) is defined by an angled surface (134) pointing proximally, the angled surface (134) defining a leading portion (134.1) and a heel portion (134.2), and wherein the angled surface (134) comprises a surface portion (134a, 134b) at the heel portion (134.2) forming an angle (α1) between 50 to 75 degrees with respect to the central axis, and further comprises a surface portion (134c) at the leading portion (134.1) forming an angle (α2) between 60 to 85 degrees with respect to the central axis. An injection needle assembly for an injection device and an injection device comprising such assembly are further described.