Needle Assembly Cover Segmented Proximal Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional needle assemblies for injection devices are difficult to remove due to over-tightening, leading to potential needle-stick injuries and infections, as patients often struggle with the threaded engagement mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A needle assembly cover with a proximal portion that frictionally engages the needle support and provides audible and tactile feedback through projections and grooves, preventing over-tightening and facilitating easy removal by allowing elastic deformation for secure coupling and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If patients use a threaded engagement mechanism to couple the needle assembly to the injection device, then the coupling can be secure, but the needle assembly becomes difficult to remove due to over-tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal portion of the cover is segmented into a first portion and a second portion with different inner diameters. The first portion frictionally engages the needle support to prevent over-tightening, while the second portion allows easy removal by providing a larger diameter for finger engagement and leverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal portion of the cover is made elastically deformable, changing its physical state from rigid to flexible. This allows the cover to be compressed during removal, breaking the frictional engagement with the needle support and enabling easy detachment without needle-stick injuries.
2Ease of operation
If the cover frictionally engages the needle support to prevent over-tightening, then removal becomes easier, but the coupling strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement between the cover and needle support transitions from static frictional engagement during coupling to dynamic elastic deformation during removal. The proximal portion remains elastically deformable throughout, allowing it to adapt between providing frictional resistance during tightening and yielding during removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the proximal portion are optimized to provide sufficient frictional engagement strength during coupling while maintaining elastic deformability for easy removal. The friction coefficient and elastic modulus are balanced to achieve both secure coupling and easy detachment.
3Ease of operation
If the proximal portion is made elastically deformable to facilitate removal, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal portion is designed as a flexible shell structure with optimized wall thickness and geometry. This allows the cover to be manufactured as a single integrated piece using injection molding or similar processes, achieving elastic deformability without requiring complex assembly or specialized materials.
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 solution ensures secure coupling and easy removal of the needle assembly from the injection device, reducing the risk of needle-stick injuries and infections by providing clear feedback and preventing over-tightening, thus enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A first inner surface of the first portion frictionally engages the needle support
Implementation Method 2
The proximal portion is elastically deformable
Implementation Method 3
Engagement of the at least one projection with the at least one groove provides at least one of an audible feedback and a tactile feedback
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a needle assembly system comprising a needle assembly including a needle and a needle support, and a cover including a distal portion adapted to house at least a distal end of the needle and a proximal portion adapted to house the needle support. The proximal portion includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the needle support and the second portion has a second inner diameter greater than the diameter of the needle support.