Angled Retractable Needle Prevents Upward Pivotal Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional needle safety enclosures elevate the needle, causing it to bias at an angle and potentially pull upwards, interfering with blood flow and increasing the risk of discomfort and tissue damage, while also exposing medical personnel to contamination risks during recapping and fluid splatter.

Innovation Solution

A safety enclosure with an angular needle orientation keeps the needle in a downward position relative to the base, preventing upward pivotal forces and incorporating a flexible internal cover to securely retract the needle within the enclosure, preventing exposure and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional safety enclosure is used to enclose the needle, then needle safety is improved, but the needle is elevated and biased at an angle causing upward pivotal force that interferes with blood flow and increases tissue damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle safetyVSAvoidupward pivotal force interfering with blood flow

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle assembly is positioned at an asymmetric angular orientation (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis of the safety enclosure, with the needle tip extending further forward than the hub. This asymmetric positioning creates a downward angle that prevents upward pivotal motion when force is applied to the rear of the enclosure, eliminating the harmful upward force while maintaining safety enclosure functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the needle is elevated by the safety enclosure, then needle protection is improved, but the needle orientation becomes unstable and prone to pivoting upward

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle protectionVSAvoidneedle orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If medical personnel recap or handle the needle after use, then needle reuse is enabled, but the risk of needle stick injuries and disease transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle reuse capabilityVSAvoidneedle stick injury and disease transmission risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sharp needle tip is completely extracted and removed from the safety enclosure after use, separating the hazardous sharp component from the reusable hub and enclosure assembly. This allows the hub and enclosure to be safely handled, recapped, or disposed of without exposing personnel to needle stick injuries, while the needle tip can be properly disposed of as sharps waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If pressure is applied to the rear of the enclosure at the tubular receptacle, then fluid flow is improved, but the needle may be forced upward causing discomfort and tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow rateVSAvoidneedle upward movement causing tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS9895489B2Angled retractable needle

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 MERCHANT MICHAEL

AI summary

A disposable safety needle assembly and safety enclosure for internally shielding a used or contaminated needle includes a needle assembly having a needle cannula slidably disposed within a safety enclosure. An angular orientation to the needle within the enclosure maintains an insertion angle allowing the safety enclosure to remain substantially flush with a dermal surface during and while the needle is inserted. The safety enclosure also includes an internally disposed flexible safety member. The flexible safety member has face portion transversely situated and having a safety feature disposed to the needle and that slides thereon. Retracting the needle within the safety enclosure to a point wherein the sharp tip of the needle is beyond the needle protection section of the flexible member causes the protection section to travel transversely to the direction of motion of the needle. As a result, the safety feature receives the sharp tip of the needle.