Automatic Needle Apparatus With Spring-Locked Guard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic needle devices lack a reliable mechanism to prevent the needle from being redeployed after use, posing a risk of contamination and injury.
Innovation Solution
An automatic needle device with a needle guard that is biased by a coil spring and locked in place using a locking mechanism, ensuring the needle is securely covered and cannot be re-exposed, featuring offset coils and locking pins for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle device without a locking mechanism is used, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the needle can be accidentally redeployed causing contamination and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is activated automatically when the needle guard reaches the retracted position, performing the locking action in advance before the user can accidentally redeploy the needle. This preliminary locking action ensures reliability without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded needle guard system is self-acting, automatically extending and locking into position without user intervention. The mechanism serves itself by using the retraction motion to trigger the locking action, eliminating the need for additional user operations.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism with multiple components is added, then the needle cannot be redeployed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the needle guard assembly, where the guard itself becomes part of the locking system. The guard's retraction motion directly engages the locking feature, combining the guarding and locking functions into a single integrated component rather than separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's retraction action and the locking mechanism. The spring converts the linear retraction motion into the force needed to engage the locking feature, simplifying the overall mechanism by using elastic energy storage rather than complex mechanical linkages.
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 effectively prevents accidental exposure of the needle, reducing the risk of contamination and injury by ensuring the needle remains securely guarded after use.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing device comprises a coil spring having distal and proximal ends and a locking mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The biasing device comprises a coil spring having distal and proximal ends and a locking mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic needle device comprises a body into which a needle assembly and needle are mounted. The device also includes a needle guard to cover the needle until it is used and to lock over the needle after use so the needle is not re-exposed. The locking is accomplished with a coil spring action locking device. A container for holding the automatic needle device also facilitates the viewing of the distal end of the needle prior to use on a patient.