Irreversible Hollow Needle Guide for Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices for liquids between storage and usage containers lack reliable mechanisms to irreversibly shift the hollow needle from the rest to the connection position, which is crucial for ensuring single-use applications, especially in medical contexts where originality and secure transfer are paramount.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a guide device that includes a guide helix and sawtooth-shaped profiling in the guide groove, ensuring controlled and irreversible displacement of the pressure-actuating element, along with a security element to prevent unintended actuation, guarantees the hollow needle's one-time use and provides haptic and acoustic feedback during displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple hollow needle assembly is used, then the device structure is simple, but the hollow needle cannot be reliably shifted from rest position to connection position
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow needle assembly is designed to be movable relative to the base body, transitioning dynamically between rest position and connection position. The guide device with guide groove and guide pin enables controlled dynamic movement while maintaining reliability of position change.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pressure-actuating element and the hollow needle assembly. It mediates the force transmission and ensures reliable positional transition through the guide groove and guide pin interaction.
2Ease of operation
If no guide device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the displacement of pressure-actuating element cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove features a guide helix with curved trajectory that guides the guide pin along a controlled path. This curved geometry provides smooth, controlled displacement of the pressure-actuating element during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove is segmented into different sections: an initial straight portion for positioning, a guide helix portion for controlled displacement, and a final straight portion for locking. This segmentation enables different operational phases within a single guide structure.
3Reliability
If no irreversible mechanism is used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the single-use guarantee cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove has an asymmetric sawtooth-shaped profile that allows easy forward movement (insertion) but prevents backward movement (removal). This asymmetric geometry ensures irreversible displacement and single-use guarantee while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device is designed as a disposable single-use item. The irreversible guide groove mechanism ensures the device can only be used once, after which it is discarded, eliminating the need for complex reset or sterilization mechanisms.
4Reliability
If no security element is used, then the device is simpler, but unintended actuation before planned use cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The security element is pre-configured to block the guide pin from entering the guide groove until deliberately activated. This preliminary protective action prevents unintended actuation while allowing controlled activation when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (56) serves for transferring a fluid between a storage container (2) and at least one further container for use. Said transfer device comprises a sealing section (4) by means of which a main part (61) of the transfer device (56) sealingly rests on the storage container (2). A hollow-needle assembly comprises a hollow needle which can be moved between a retracted resting position and a deployed connecting position, the assembly, in the connecting position, providing a fluid connecting channel between the storage container (2) and the transfer device (56). The hollow-needle assembly can be moved by means of a pressure actuating element (58). During said movement, the pressure actuating element (58) is primarily connected to the sleeve of the hollow needle so as to be resistant to shear forces. A guiding device (64) serves to axially guide the pressure actuating element (58) on the main part (61). Said guiding device (64) has at least one guiding pin (65). Said guiding pin slides in at least one associated guiding groove (66) during movement. The guiding device (64) is designed such that the movement of the hollow-needle assembly from the resting position to the connecting position is irreversible. In this way, the hollow needle can be moved from the resting position to the connecting position in an operationally safe manner.