Hinged Needle Shield With Living Hinge for One-Handed Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle assemblies with hinged needle shields are either costly or difficult to manufacture, and healthcare workers face challenges in safely shielding needles due to the need for two-handed operation, especially during procedures requiring one hand for applying pressure to the injection site.
Innovation Solution
A needle shield assembly with a specific ratio of flange thickness to living hinge thickness, integrated with a locking mechanism, allows one-handed operation and secure needle protection, featuring a bridge portion with a living hinge and a receiving ring for easy assembly and secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid needle shield is manually telescoped over the needle cannula, then needle protection is achieved, but two-handed operation is required reducing productivity and increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is designed with a hinged connection at the base, transforming it from a rigid structure requiring two-handed manipulation into a dynamic structure that can be rapidly deployed with one hand. The hinge allows the shield to pivot and snap into place over the needle cannula, enabling quick shielding while maintaining reliable needle protection.
2Ease of manufacture
If a hinged needle shield is designed with thin flange and hinge sections for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost decreases, but structural strength and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimal thickness ratios between the flange and living hinge sections, along with minimum thickness values, to achieve the right balance between manufacturability and functional reliability. These parameter specifications ensure the shield can be manufactured cost-effectively while maintaining sufficient structural strength for reliable needle protection.
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
Enables cost-effective manufacturing and facilitates one-handed needle shielding, ensuring safe handling and protection against accidental needle sticks, even during single-handed procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a bridge portion including a living hinge having a thickness, the bridge portion joining the hub connection portion and the shield portion
Implementation Method 2
a receiving ring having a diameter sized to frictionally receive the hub outer surface when the needle assembly is inserted through the receiving ring
Data Source
AI summary
A needle shield assembly comprises an elongate needle shield comprising a shield portion, a hub connection portion and a bridge portion including a living hinge having a thickness, the bridge portion joining the hub connection portion and the shield portion, the hub connection portion comprising a receiving ring having a diameter sized to frictionally receive the hub outer surface when the needle assembly is inserted through the receiving ring and a flange extending from the receiving ring defining a top planar surface and a bottom surface. The thickness of the flange divided by the thickness of the living hinge defines a ratio of from 1.1 to 6. The shield portion is configured to pivot from an open position in which the needle cannula is exposed, to a closed needle protecting position in which the distal end of the needle cannula is within the longitudinal opening of the shield.