Cap Assembly Gripping Member for Needle Shield Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of medicament delivery devices with protective needle sheaths is complex, requiring specialized tools for sheath removal mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with a gripping member having radially flexible portions and a channel configuration that allows for a friction fit with the medicament delivery member shield, eliminating the need for additional assembly tools by using inclined sections and distal portions to securely engage and retain the shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specialized assembly tool is used to splay sheath removal beams apart for receiving the protective needle sheath, then the sheath can be properly received and retained, but the assembly procedure becomes complex and requires additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is designed to automatically splay the sheath removal beams apart through its own structural features during assembly, eliminating the need for external assembly tools. The beam splaying mechanism is integrated into the cap assembly itself, allowing it to perform the function of both retaining the sheath and facilitating its own assembly without requiring separate tools or complex procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath removal beams are designed with flexible portions that can dynamically change position - they can be splayed apart to receive the sheath and then return to a retained position to hold it securely. This dynamic behavior allows the same structure to serve both assembly and retention functions, simplifying the overall assembly procedure while maintaining reliable sheath retention
2Ease of manufacture
If the cap assembly includes integrated beam splaying functionality, then additional assembly tools are eliminated, but the cap assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splaying functionality is merged directly into the cap assembly structure. The cap assembly incorporates features that automatically splay the sheath removal beams during assembly, combining what would otherwise be separate functions (beam splaying mechanism and cap assembly) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate assembly tools while the structural complexity is managed through integration rather than addition of separate components
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
Simplifies the assembly process of medicament delivery devices by allowing the medicament delivery member shield to be inserted and retained without additional tools, facilitating the protection and removal of the shield during device operation.
Implementation Method 1
the first leg and the second leg having a respective proximal portion that are radially flexible and extending distally from the connecting portion
Implementation Method 2
the gripping member and an inner wall of the channel being configured to engage to retain the gripping member in the inner cap structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cap assembly for a medicament delivery device. The cap assembly comprises: a cap body arranged to be mounted to a proximal end of a medicament delivery device for protecting and for removing a medicament delivery member shield. The cap body has an inner cap structure defining a channel extending along the central axis of the cap body, and a gripping member configured to be received in the channel. The gripping member is radially flexible and has a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting portion extending between the first leg and the second leg. The first leg and the second leg each has a proximal portion that is radially flexible and extends distally from the connecting portion. Each proximal portion has an inclined section extending radially inwards in an axial direction away from the connecting portion. Each of the first leg and the second leg has a distal portion extending from the inclined section, the distal portions being radially flexible and extending radially outwards in an axial direction away from the proximal portions to allow the gripping member to receive a medicament delivery member shield between the distal portions. The gripping member and an inner wall of the channel are configured to engage to retain the gripping member in the inner cap structure. Each distal portion is provided with a medicament delivery member shield gripper configured to engage with a medicament delivery member shield when the gripping member engages with the inner wall of the channel and the gripping member has received a medicament delivery member shield causing the proximal portions and the distal portions to flex radially inwards.