Automatic Needle Device with Nested Spring Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic needle devices for hypodermic syringes lack a reliable mechanism for safe and efficient needle deployment and retraction, often leading to accidental needle sticks and inadequate protection against misuse.
Innovation Solution
An automatic needle device featuring a housing element with a resilient element and a needle guard that actuates the needle from a non-penetration to a penetration position, incorporating safety features to prevent inadvertent activation and ensure needle protection after use, utilizing compression springs for selectable displacement and a safety tab for disabling the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient element is used to actuate the needle bearing element, then the needle deployment speed and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is nested within the housing element, with the needle bearing element positioned within the resilient element's compression zone. This nested arrangement allows the resilient element to directly actuate the needle bearing element without requiring separate transmission mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while minimizing added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element is pre-compressed during assembly and automatically releases stored energy upon activation input, self-actuating the needle bearing element without requiring additional motors or complex control systems. This self-service mechanism improves deployment reliability while keeping the device relatively simple
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a needle guard is added to protect the needle after use, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle guard is merged with the housing element to form an integrated protective structure. The guard is positioned within the housing and automatically receives the needle when the bearing element retracts, combining protection function with the existing housing structure rather than adding a completely separate component system
Solution Approach 2:
The needle guard is pre-positioned within the housing element in a ready state before needle deployment. Upon retraction of the needle bearing element, the guard automatically engages and secures the needle without requiring additional user actions or complex control mechanisms, thus improving safety while maintaining simplicity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If safety features are incorporated to prevent inadvertent activation, then user safety is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is pre-compressed during assembly and held in a locked state by the housing structure. A deliberate activation input (such as breaking a seal or releasing a latch) is required to overcome this preliminary anti-action and allow the resilient element to release and actuate the needle. This prevents inadvertent activation while maintaining relatively simple operation when intentionally activated
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 solution provides a safe and efficient mechanism for needle deployment and retraction, enhancing user safety by preventing accidental needle sticks and ensuring the needle is securely guarded after use, while allowing for easy integration with various injection devices.
Implementation Method 1
at least one resilient element arranged to be located within the housing element
Implementation Method 2
the at least one resilient element includes first and second coil springs
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic needle device including a housing element, at least one resilient element arranged to be located within the housing element, at least one needle bearing element adapted, when actuated, to be displaced by the at least one resilient element with respect to the housing element from a non-penetration position to a penetration position and a needle guard adapted for positioning with respect to the housing element and wherein displacement of the needle guard is operative to actuate displacement of the at least one needle bearing element from the non-penetration position to the penetration position.