Injection Cap Pinch Mechanism for Needle Boot Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle safety devices, such as the UltraSafe family, require users to manually remove the needle boot and cover, which can be difficult due to obscured access or reduced dexterity, leading to potential device failure if not properly prepared.
Innovation Solution
A cap with movable boot engagement portions that allow for easy and clear removal of the needle boot by pinching, featuring resilient materials and leveraged grip mechanisms to simplify the process and ensure proper preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a grip accessory is used to protect the needle, then needle safety is improved, but access to the friction surface or ribs for removing the needle boot is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into multiple functional portions: a grip portion for user interaction, a friction surface portion for engaging the needle boot, and a rib portion for additional gripping assistance. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, maintaining safety while improving accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the friction surface and ribs from the traditional two-dimensional grip area into a three-dimensional configuration, with ribs protruding outward and friction surfaces extending along the cap body. This dimensional extension provides multiple engagement points for the needle boot, improving removal ease without compromising the protective grip accessory design.
2Reliability
If the needle boot and cover are partially obscured by the housing, then needle safety is maintained, but the user may not recognize or remember to remove them
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with visual differentiation between its portions - the friction surface portion and rib portion are distinguishable from the grip portion through color, texture, or geometric features. This visual coding provides clear information to the user about which portions need to engage the needle boot, preventing omission of the removal step while maintaining the protective housing design.
3Device complexity
If traditional needle boot removal is used, then simplicity is maintained, but users with reduced dexterity or grip strength struggle to remove the boot
Solution Approach 1:
The cap acts as an intermediary tool between the user and the needle boot. The friction surface portion and ribs on the cap provide enhanced mechanical advantage, allowing users with reduced grip strength to effectively remove the needle boot through a pinching motion on the cap rather than directly on the boot itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the removal interface by providing a larger friction surface area and protruding ribs that can be engaged by the user's fingers. This increases the effective grip area and mechanical leverage, reducing the force requirement for boot removal while maintaining a simple overall design.
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 cap provides a clear indication and easy removal of the needle boot, reducing the physical burden and ensuring the device is ready for use, thereby preventing failure and enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one boot engagement portion is made from a resilient material such that the at least one boot engagement portion is deformable under a compressive force applied to the at least one pinch portion
Implementation Method 2
The first boot engagement portion and the second boot engagement portion are movable relative to the cap body, respectively, such that pinching the first and second pinch portions leverages a grip on the needle boot
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A cap for an injection device includes a removable needle boot for covering a needle of a syringe within the injection device. The cap comprises a cap body and a first boot engagement portion. The first boot engagement portion is movable relative to the cap body and comprises a first pinch portion. The first pinch portion is configured such that application of compressive force to the first pinch portion effects engagement of the first boot engagement portion with the needle boot for removal of the needle boot with the cap as it is removed from the injection device.