Flash-Activated Passive Shielding Needle Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood collection sets with needle safety shields require complex mechanisms and substantial manual operation, making them costly and potentially hazardous for users due to the risk of needle-stick wounds during activation.
Innovation Solution
A passively activated shielding needle assembly that uses a drive member and activation material to automatically shield the needle tip upon fluid flow, eliminating the need for manual activation and simplifying the manufacturing and operation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tip guards are used with complex mechanisms for positioning, then shielding reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding mechanism is designed to automatically activate through fluid flow without requiring manual operation. The fluid flow itself serves as the activation mechanism, eliminating the need for complex manual actuation systems while maintaining reliable shielding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical actuation with fluid-flow-driven activation. Instead of requiring users to manually move the tip guard, the system uses the fluid flowing through the needle assembly to automatically trigger the shielding mechanism, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If manual activation of tip guards is required, then shielding functionality is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to substantial manual manipulation needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the shielding activation automatically using the fluid flow that is already present during normal operation. No additional manual steps are required from the user, making the system both easy to operate and reliably functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding mechanism is pre-positioned and prepared to activate automatically when fluid flow occurs. The system is set up in advance so that the mere presence of fluid flow triggers the shielding action, eliminating the need for user intervention.
3Reliability
If manual manipulation is required to move tip guard into position, then shielding engagement is achieved, but safety deteriorates due to exposure to needle-stick wounds
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding mechanism activates automatically through fluid flow, eliminating the need for users to manually manipulate the tip guard into position. This removes the user's hands from the danger zone and prevents needle-stick injuries while ensuring proper shielding engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid flow serves as an intermediary that triggers the shielding mechanism without requiring direct user contact with the needle assembly. The fluid acts as a safe mediator to activate the protective function, keeping users away from potential hazards.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex mechanisms are used for tip guard positioning, then shielding precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing fluid flow to activate shielding, eliminating the need for complex positioning mechanisms. This approach maintains adequate shielding precision while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex positioning mechanisms from the design and relies on the inherent fluid flow to achieve the necessary shielding activation. By taking out unnecessary complexity, the system becomes easier to manufacture while maintaining functional effectiveness.
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 secure, inexpensive, and user-friendly method for shielding used needle cannulas, reducing the risk of accidental needle sticks and simplifying the operation for healthcare professionals during blood collection procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an activation material adapted to deform upon contact with a fluid medium flowing through the needle cannula
Data Source
AI summary
A safety needle device includes a housing including a passageway with a needle cannula extending therefrom. A shielding member is movable between a first position in which a puncture tip of the needle cannula is exposed therefrom and a second position in which the puncture tip of the needle cannula is encompassed therein. The shielding member is maintained in the first position against a biasing force which biases the shielding member toward the second position. A fluid and/or a temperature activation material is associated with the shielding member and is adapted to deform upon contact with a fluid medium and/or a certain temperature or temperature range. The fluid medium flowing through the needle cannula causes the fluid activation material to deform, such as through expansion, thereby releasing the shielding member from the first position and allowing a drive member to bias the shielding member toward the second position.