Hub Assembly with Movable Shield for Hidden Needle Drug Pen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients using pen injection devices often become uncomfortable due to the visibility of the needle prior to injection, which is not addressed by standard designs that expose the needle.
Innovation Solution
A hub assembly with a movably connected shield that can be positioned to hide the needle during injection while allowing visibility for priming, featuring flexible arms and a spring mechanism for secure attachment and controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the needle is exposed for visibility during priming, then the user can observe the priming process, but the patient can see the needle and become uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is made movable relative to the hub, allowing it to transition between a retracted position that exposes the needle for priming observation and an extended position that conceals the needle from patient view during injection. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by adapting the visibility state based on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is divided into multiple segments or positions that can be independently controlled. The shield includes a first position for concealing the needle during injection and a second position for exposing the needle during priming, allowing selective visibility based on operational requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shield is added to conceal the needle, then patient discomfort is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is integrated with the hub assembly through a movable connection mechanism, combining the shielding function with the existing hub structure. This merging approach allows the shield to be controlled via the same actuation mechanism as the hub, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the needle concealment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield serves multiple functions: it conceals the needle from patient view during injection, and can be repositioned to expose the needle for priming observation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shield is made movable to change positions, then needle visibility can be controlled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable connection between the shield and hub allows for controlled position changes without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. The dynamic mechanism incorporates elements such as springs or flexible connections that accommodate positional variations while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield's position is controlled by changing mechanical parameters such as spring compression or connection angle rather than requiring precise fixed positioning. This parameter-based control approach reduces manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining the ability to switch between concealed and exposed needle positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A hub assembly for a pen injection device allows a needle to be disposed in at least one of a plurality of positions prior to an injection. A hub of the hub assembly is connected to the pen injection device, and the needle is received by the hub. A shield is movably connected to the hub and allows the needle to be disposed in at least one of several positions prior to an injection, such as a position in which the needle is visible for priming and a position that prevents the needle from being visible. A tab connected to the hub is received by a channel formed in the shield to control movement of the shield.