Magnetic Needle Shielding for Metered-Dose Syringe Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current syringe designs expose the needle prior to and during administration, causing psychological distress in pediatric patients and increasing the risk of accidental needle sticks, while existing shielding solutions often require structural modifications or fail to ensure user safety.

Innovation Solution

A mechanically actuated needle shielding device for metered dose syringes that uses magnetically actuated control to transition between shielded and unshielded states, ensuring compatibility with standard syringe barrels and needle hubs, and automatically concealing the needle after use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the needle is exposed prior to and during administration, then the syringe can deliver medication accurately, but the patient experiences psychological distress and the risk of accidental needle sticks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication delivery accuracyVSAvoidpsychological distress and needle stick risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is pre-positioned to cover the needle before administration. The hub cap is initially attached to protect the needle, and the shield slide automatically retracts only when the hub cap is removed and plunger pressure is applied, ensuring the needle remains concealed until the moment of injection is initiated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful element (needle exposure) is extracted from the visible field by using the shield slide to physically block and conceal the needle from view during storage and transport, while maintaining full needle functionality when needed for injection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a needle shielding device is added to the syringe, then user safety and psychological comfort are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoidsyringe structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hub cap serves multiple functions: it protects the needle during storage, acts as a user interface for initiating injection by pulling off to trigger shield retraction, and provides a grip surface. The shield slide simultaneously provides needle concealment, automatic retraction capability, and post-injection safety shielding, reducing the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding mechanism is self-actuating through magnetic coupling between the hub cap and shield slide. When the hub cap is pulled off during preparation, the magnetic release automatically triggers the shield slide to retract, eliminating the need for manual operation or additional actuators. After injection, the shield automatically returns to protect the needle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If a mechanically actuated shielding mechanism is implemented, then automatic needle concealment is achieved, but the ease of operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic needle concealmentVSAvoidsyringe usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield slide is self-actuating through magnetic coupling between the hub cap and shield slide. When the hub cap is pulled off during preparation, the magnetic release automatically triggers the shield slide to retract, eliminating the need for manual operation or additional actuators. After injection, the shield automatically returns to protect the needle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The shield slide transitions from a static concealed position to a dynamic retracted state during injection, and automatically returns to concealed position after use. The magnetic coupling provides smooth, controlled movement without requiring complex mechanisms or user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Reduces psychological trauma in patients by minimizing visual exposure to the needle and enhances user safety by reducing the risk of accidental needle sticks, while maintaining the accuracy and ease of use of the syringe.

Implementation Method 1

uses magnetically actuated control to transition between shielded and unshielded states

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20250295862A1Mechanically actuated needle shielding device for metered dose syringes

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 VUPPALA RAMU

AI summary

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a mechanically actuated needle shielding device for metered dose syringes. The device includes a hub cap configured to mount over a needle hub without requiring modification to the syringe, and a shield slide positioned coaxially with respect to the hub cap. The shield slide is movable along a longitudinal axis between a retracted position, in which the needle is exposed for injection, and an extended position, in which the needle is concealed. A shield slide magnet and a hub cap magnet are embedded in respective components with like poles facing each other, generating a magnetic repelling force that biases the shield slide toward the extended position. During injection, the shield slide retracts under axial force and automatically returns to the extended position upon release, thereby concealing the needle post-use to enhance safety and minimize accidental exposure.