Auto-Needle Device Locking and Shielding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical syringe devices, particularly for laymen, face issues such as premature medication discharge, accidental needle pricks, and syringe breakage due to user errors, and existing auto-injectors are costly, complex, and lack user control over injection speed.
Innovation Solution
A safe auto-needle device with a disposable design that includes a locking mechanism to prevent premature needle advancement, a plunger control for adjustable injection speed, and a needle shield that automatically conceals the needle after use, featuring a NS remover for safe needle handling and shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent premature needle advancement, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage when the device is assembled, preventing premature needle advancement without requiring user activation. The lock is designed to release automatically when the needle reaches the correct injection depth, eliminating the need for complex control systems while maintaining safety.
2Ease of operation
If auto-injectors are made disposable and preloaded, then ease of operation is improved, but cost and storage requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components: a reusable main body housing the locking mechanism and needle shield, and disposable cartridges containing the medication and needle assembly. This allows the expensive mechanical safety features to be reused while only the medication and single-use needle components are discarded, reducing both cost and storage requirements compared to fully disposable auto-injectors.
3Reliability
If needle shield is made automatically retractable, then protection from needle pricks is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is designed to automatically retract and cover the needle through a spring-loaded mechanism that activates when the injection is complete. The shield uses the pressure differential created during injection to trigger its own retraction, eliminating the need for electronic sensors or motorized controls while maintaining automatic protection functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides enhanced safety and user control, preventing user errors like premature discharge and needle pricks, while being cost-effective and easy to use, with automatic needle shielding to reduce anxiety and pain during injections.
Implementation Method 1
a spring urging distal movement of the needle shield; and the needle shield comprising a spring seat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
A safe auto-needle device for injection, comprising: • a main housing; • a syringe-support for receiving a disposable prefilled syringe; said syringe comprises: a piston; a proximal end; and a distal end terminating in a needle covered by a needle sheath (NS); • a drive mechanism for advancing said syringe-support distally towards an injection site; • a tubular needle shield; moveable from: a needle covering position, to partially exposed, to needle irreversibly concealed; • said generally tubular needle shield comprising a distal end for contacting an injection site, and a proximal end; • a spring urging distal movement of said needle shield; and said needle shield comprising a spring seat; • an NS remover, designed to mate with and irreversibly grip said NS, for removal of said NS prior to injection; • a locking mechanism preventing premature advancement of said needle; • a plunger rod for engaging said piston, wherein depressing of said plunger is manually controllable; wherein in use of said device, said NS remover is removed; said distal end of said needle shield is pressed upon an injection site, releasing said locking mechanism, and driving said syringe-support and said syringe, distally until needle penetration; and upon depressing of said plunger, a medicament may be injected. The invention additionally provides a novel two-component NS remover.