HPLC Needle Tip with Segmented Angled and Flat Sections

Solution Overview

Problem

Hollow needles used in HPLC applications often experience issues such as punching out material from sample containers, leading to blockages and plastic deformations during bottom detection, which reduces system performance and lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A hollow needle with a tip comprising both a blunt and an angled section, where the first surface section is orthogonal to the axial direction and the second surface section is angled, reducing the risk of material punching and plastic deformation, and allowing for efficient bottom detection without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a beveled tip is used on the hollow needle, then the risk of punching out cover material is reduced, but plastic deformations occur frequently during bottom detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepunching out cover materialVSAvoidplastic deformations during bottom detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip is divided into multiple surface sections with different orientations. The first surface section has a first orientation (e.g., beveled) that reduces punching out, while the second surface section has a second orientation (e.g., perpendicular or differently angled) that prevents plastic deformations during bottom detection. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the needle tip are given different geometric properties. The first surface section is designed with specific angular characteristics for piercing cover material, while the second surface section is designed with different angular characteristics for contact with the container bottom. Each local area has the quality needed for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a flat tip is used on the hollow needle, then plastic deformations are avoided, but punching out of cover material occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavoiding plastic deformationVSAvoidpunching out cover material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip is divided into multiple surface sections with different orientations. The first surface section has a first orientation (e.g., beveled) that reduces punching out, while the second surface section has a second orientation (e.g., perpendicular or differently angled) that prevents plastic deformations during bottom detection. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the needle tip are given different geometric properties. The first surface section is designed with specific angular characteristics for piercing cover material, while the second surface section is designed with different angular characteristics for contact with the container bottom. Each local area has the quality needed for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a beveled needle tip contacts the container bottom, then bottom detection is achieved, but coating delamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottom detection capabilityVSAvoidcoating delamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tip is divided into multiple surface sections with different orientations. The first surface section has a first orientation (e.g., beveled) that reduces punching out, while the second surface section has a second orientation (e.g., perpendicular or differently angled) that prevents plastic deformations during bottom detection. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the needle tip are given different geometric properties. The first surface section is designed with specific angular characteristics for piercing cover material, while the second surface section is designed with different angular characteristics for contact with the container bottom. Each local area has the quality needed for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20230070054A1Needle for use in analytical application

Publication Date: 2023.03.09 DIONEX SOFTRON

AI summary

The present invention relates to a needle (1), wherein the needle (1) comprises a channel (12) extending through the needle (1), wherein the needle (1) comprises a needle tip (11), wherein the channel (12) comprises an opening at the needle tip (11), wherein the needle (1) defines an axial direction (x), wherein the axial direction (x) defines a distal direction and a proximal direction, wherein the needle tip (11) is a distal portion of the needle (1), and wherein the needle tip (11) comprises a first surface section (112) and a second surface section (111), wherein the first surface section (112) is arranged at a first angle (α) with respect to the axial direction (x) and the second surface section (111) is arranged at a second angle (β) with respect to the axial direction (x), wherein the first angle is different from the second angle. The present invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus, system and use.