Infusion Part Inserter With Perpendicular Needle Protector Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing needle protectors for infusion parts either expose the insertion needle for a long time before use or risk separating the needle hub from the infusion part during removal, posing safety hazards and handling challenges.

Innovation Solution

A needle protector design that is easily removable perpendicular to the insertion needle axis, secured to the infusion part via tracks or recesses, allowing for a sideward movement that avoids forces parallel to the needle axis, and integrated with a mounting pad for secure attachment, enabling safe handling and disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the needle protector is part of the disposable packing, then the needle is protected during storage and transport, but the needle is exposed for a relatively long time before insertion and the user must remove the packing before positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneedle exposure riskVSAvoidtime for needle exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The needle protector is extracted from the disposable packing and integrated directly onto the infusion part. This allows the protector to remain attached during storage and transport while enabling immediate coverage of the needle at the moment of skin contact, eliminating the time gap where the needle would otherwise be exposed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle protector is merged with the infusion part through direct fastening, creating a unified assembly. This integration ensures the protector stays with the infusion part throughout the process, providing continuous protection until the moment of insertion without requiring separate removal of packing materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the needle protector is fastened directly to the infusion part and removed along the axis of the insertion needle, then the protector is easily removed, but there is a risk that the needle hub/inserter will be separated from the infusion part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of needle protector removalVSAvoidrisk of hub-infusion part separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The removal direction of the needle protector is changed from axial (parallel to the insertion needle) to lateral (perpendicular to the insertion needle). This dimensional change allows the protector to be removed by pulling it sideways off the needle, which eliminates the risk of separating the needle hub from the infusion part while still enabling easy removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the needle protector is removed by pulling in direction of the insertion needle, then the removal force is simple to apply, but forces parallel to the needle axis may cause separation of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of removal force applicationVSAvoidrisk of component separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The removal force is applied in a lateral direction perpendicular to the needle axis rather than parallel to it. This directional change allows the user to simply pull the protector sideways off the needle without creating axial forces that could separate the needle hub from the infusion part, maintaining both ease of operation and component integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP1988958B2Inserter for infusion part
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 UNOMEDICAL AS
  • EP1988958B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1988958B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1988958B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an infusion part (1), as well as to a simple, non-expensive inserter for said infusion part which inserter would be easy and safe for the user to handle during use and to dispose of after use. The inserter comprises a housing (26), a spring unit (19) and a sled unit (11) connected to the housing via the spring unit. The infusion part comprises a cannula (6) integrated with an insertion needle (7) and a needle protection (4) releasably secured to the infusion part and removable from the position where it protects the needle by applying a force perpendicular to the axis of the needle.