Infusion Needle Holder Release Mechanism for Safe Device Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug infusion devices cause skin trauma and increase the risk of infection when the infusion needle is not fully retracted during device replacement due to the needle being left under the skin.
Innovation Solution
An infusion needle structure with an unlock rod and unlock hole mechanism that allows the needle holder to be released and reset, avoiding skin contact during device replacement, utilizing a spring for automatic resetting and a locking lever for enhanced dexterity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the infusion device is attached directly on the patient's skin through medical adhesive tape, then the device can be easily applied and removed, but the infusion needle remains under the skin during removal causing skin trauma and infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion device is divided into separable components: the infusion pump body and the needle holder with infusion needle. The needle holder can be independently released from the skin before removing the adhesive tape, allowing the needle to be safely retracted while the tape is still intact. This segmentation enables independent control of needle removal from tape removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle holder is released and the infusion needle is retracted into the skin or removed from the skin surface before the adhesive tape is torn off. This preliminary action of needle retraction eliminates the harmful exposure of the needle during tape removal, preventing skin trauma and infection while maintaining the ease of tape-based application.
2Reliability
If the infusion needle is left under the skin during device replacement, then the needle remains in position for continuous infusion, but it causes skin trauma and increases infection risk when the device is torn off
Solution Approach 1:
The needle holder is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between different states: inserted into the skin for infusion, retracted into the device body for safety, and removed from the skin for replacement. The spring-loaded mechanism and unlock rod enable smooth transitions between these positions, maintaining reliability while eliminating harm during replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlock rod acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the needle holder. By operating the unlock rod through the unlock hole, the user can release the locking portion and trigger the spring to automatically retract the needle holder, providing a safe intermediate state before complete removal. This intermediary action ensures controlled needle retraction without direct manual manipulation.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to hold the needle holder in position, then the needle remains stable during infusion, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a spring-loaded system. When the unlock rod is pushed, it releases the locking portion, and the spring automatically propels the needle holder into or out of the locked position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex motorized or manually-operated locking systems, maintaining reliability while minimizing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, simple mechanical subsystem consisting of the locking portion, unlock rod, and spring. This modular approach allows the locking mechanism to be independently designed and optimized, reducing its complexity while maintaining its stabilizing function. The unlock hole provides simple access to this extracted locking subsystem.
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 mechanism ensures the infusion needle is safely removed from the skin during device replacement, reducing user pain and infection risk, and simplifying the operation with minimal force required.
Implementation Method 1
it further includes a spring, arranged in the guide chamber, which is compressed by the needle holder when the needle holder is in the working position
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion needle structure of drug infusion device includes: an infusion needle including a front end and a back end; a needle holder provided with at least one auxiliary fastener; one fastening portion, arranged inside the infusion device, cooperates with the auxiliary fastener to lock the needle holder in the working position; an unlock hole provided on the needle holder or on the housing of the infusion device; and an unlock rod that is inserted into the unlock hole and pushed, thus releasing and resetting the needle holder. The infusion needle is able to reset and released when the infusion device is during replacement.