Co-Molded RFID Needle Shield for Syringe Life-Cycle Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical injection devices lack a comprehensive tracking system that allows for accurate data recording and retrieval throughout their life cycle, from manufacturing to end use, which is crucial for quality control and traceability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an RFID tag into the needle shield assembly of an injection device, enabling data storage and retrieval from the early manufacturing stages to the moment of use, allowing for product history tracking and quality control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an RFID tag is incorporated into the needle shield assembly, then traceability and data recording capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is integrated into the needle shield assembly, merging the tracking function with the existing protective component. This combination allows the needle shield to serve dual purposes: protecting the needle and storing product history data, thereby improving traceability without adding separate tracking devices
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it protects the injection needle, maintains sterility, and now also serves as a data storage medium for product history. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall system
2Reliability
If RFID tag is fixedly attached to needle shield, then data retention throughout product life cycle is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is attached to the needle shield assembly during the manufacturing process before the final product is completed. This preliminary attachment ensures that the tag remains with the needle shield throughout all subsequent handling, distribution, and storage, guaranteeing data retention without requiring complex attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield assembly acts as an intermediary carrier that holds the RFID tag and connects it to the injection needle. This intermediary role ensures the tag remains protected and attached throughout the product life cycle while simplifying the attachment process during manufacturing
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive tracking system is implemented, then quality control and complaint handling are improved, but loss of time in data retrieval may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tracking and data retrieval methods with RFID technology. The RFID tag enables wireless, instant data access without requiring physical inspection or manual record-keeping, thereby improving quality control efficiency and reducing data retrieval time
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag provides continuous feedback about the product history and status throughout the supply chain. This real-time data availability enables immediate quality control decisions and rapid complaint handling by providing instant access to product information
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an RDID tag enabled needle shield assembly that provides a sterile enclosure of an injection needle and that can be fixedly attached to a pre-filled syringe for administering an injection of medicament to a patient after removal of the needle shield assembly. The RFID tag is fixedly attached to the needle shield through co-molding or another form of permanent attachment. The present invention also relates to a method of tracking the life cycle of a medicament injection device where the RFID tag enabled needle shield assembly is attached to an injection needle that is connected to a syringe barrel that is part of an injection device. Data is written to or read from the RFID tag during the entire life cycle of the injection device, including assembly, packaging, storing, distribution and use.