Disposable Injection Needle Axial Sleeve Retraction Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current insulin injection needles pose a risk of infection due to exposed needle tips and potential for reuse, leading to increased infection probability for patients and others.

Innovation Solution

A disposable injection needle design featuring a needle holder, housing, sleeve, core, and spring, where the sleeve is axially slidable to expose the needle for use and then retract to cover it, preventing reuse and secondary exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the needle tip is exposed after removing the protective sleeves for injection use, then the injection operation can be performed, but the risk of infection increases due to potential repeated use and accidental injury to others

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjection operationVSAvoidinfection risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve is designed to be dynamically retractable through axial sliding motion. When the user pushes the protective sleeve, it moves axially to expose the needle tip for injection. After use, the sleeve can be pushed again to retract and cover the needle tip, automatically preventing further use and reducing infection risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sleeve is divided into functional segments: a sliding portion that moves axially, a guiding portion that interacts with the needle holder, and a blocking portion that prevents further needle exposure. This segmentation allows the single component to perform multiple functions: protection during storage, exposure during injection, and automatic blocking after use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective sleeve covers the needle tip during storage and transport, then infection risk is reduced, but the needle tip cannot be accessed for injection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection riskVSAvoidneedle access
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve transitions from a static protective cover to a dynamic component that can be axially slid to expose the needle. The guiding portion with its specific geometry enables smooth axial movement while maintaining engagement with the needle holder, allowing quick access to the needle tip when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the protective sleeve and the needle holder. It features a guiding surface that receives the blocking portion of the sleeve, enabling controlled axial movement and ensuring the sleeve properly exposes or covers the needle tip during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the protective sleeve is designed to be easily removable for injection, then ease of use is improved, but the needle may be accidentally exposed or injured after use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidaccidental injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve employs dynamic axial sliding motion controlled by the interaction between the guiding portion and blocking portion. After injection, when the user pushes the sleeve again, it axially moves to cover the needle tip and the blocking portion engages with the needle holder to prevent any further exposure, automatically preventing accidental injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sleeve serves its protective function during storage, then transitions to an exposure function during injection, and finally performs an automatic disposal function after use by retracting to cover and block the needle. This multi-stage functional transformation ensures safe disposal without requiring separate disposal mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 design effectively prevents needle tip exposure and reuse, reducing the risk of infection and ensuring safe disposal, thus enhancing user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The spring is configured to provide an elastic force to axially move the sleeve toward outside of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4265284A1Disposable injection needle
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 TIANJIN HUAHONG TECH
  • EP4265284A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4265284A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4265284A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A disposable injection needle is provided. The disposable injection needle includes a needle holder (10), a housing (20), a sleeve (30), a core (40), a spring (50), and a tube needle (60). A first end of the housing (20) is connected to a second end of the needle holder (10), a second end of the housing (20) has a housing opening. A first end of the sleeve (30) is located in the housing (20), a second end of the sleeve (30) has a sleeve opening and protrudes from the housing opening. A first end of the core (40) is disposed in the housing (20) and sleeved outside the needle holder (10), and a second end of the core (40) includes a core hole through which a first end of the tube needle extends (60). The spring (50) provides an elastic force to axially move the sleeve (30) toward outside of the housing (20). The sleeve (30) retracts into the housing (20) under an external force, to expose the tube needle (60) through the sleeve opening.