Needle Assembly Mechanical Retention Guide Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional needle assemblies for acupuncture and dry needling face issues with adhesive failure during storage and transit, leading to unnecessary discarding due to inconsistent adhesive application and inability to reposition the needle securely after dislodgment.

Innovation Solution

A needle assembly with a handle and guide tube featuring an inwardly-extending projection for secure engagement, allowing for releasable and reinstatable positioning of the needle, eliminating the need for adhesives and enabling repositioning without contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive is used to secure the handle to the guide tube, then the needle is retained within the guide tube, but the adhesive loses its function after single use and cannot secure the needle during storage or transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle retentionVSAvoidadhesive function duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adhesive from the system and replaces it with a mechanical engagement mechanism consisting of an inwardly-extending projection on the guide tube that engages with the handle. This mechanical feature provides continuous retention during storage and transport without relying on adhesive properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical adhesive system with a mechanical engagement system. The inwardly-extending projection creates a physical interlock between the guide tube and handle, providing reliable retention through mechanical means rather than chemical bonding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If excessive adhesive is applied to the handle, then the needle is securely retained, but it becomes difficult for the practitioner to dislodge the needle from the guide tube

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle retentionVSAvoidneedle dislodgment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive entirely and replaces it with a mechanical engagement system. The inwardly-extending projection engages with the handle in a controlled manner that provides secure retention during storage but allows easy dislodgment during use by simply pushing the needle distally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement mechanism transitions from a static adhesive bond to a dynamic mechanical system that can easily transition between engaged and disengaged states. The needle can be easily dislodged by applying distal force, and the engagement can be reinstated by repositioning the needle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If insufficient adhesive is applied to the handle, then the needle can be easily dislodged during use, but the needle becomes inadvertently dislodged during transit or storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle dislodgmentVSAvoidneedle retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the adhesive system and replaces it with a mechanical engagement feature that provides consistent retention. The inwardly-extending projection creates a reliable mechanical interlock that prevents inadvertent dislodgment during storage and transport while allowing easy dislodgment during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional adhesive-based systems are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the adhesive application must be perfectly consistent to avoid retention or dislodgment issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidadhesive application consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive application step entirely and replaces it with a mechanical engagement feature that is formed during molding or machining of the guide tube and handle. This eliminates the need for precise adhesive application while maintaining secure retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement mechanism is self-forming through the molded or machined features of the guide tube and handle. The inwardly-extending projection and corresponding handle features automatically create the engagement relationship without requiring additional assembly steps or precision adhesive application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240164985A1Needle Assemblies

Publication Date: 2024.05.23 RED CORAL ACUPUNCTURE SUPPLIES PTY LTD

AI summary

A needle assembly includes a needle with the needle having a handle at a proximal end portion thereof. The assembly also includes a guide tube sized to house the needle and handle, with the guide tube including an inwardly-extending projection adjacent a proximal end thereof. The inwardly-extending projection is configured to engage an engagement portion of the handle for retaining the needle within the guide tube such that a distal tip of the needle is positioned within the guide tube and a proximal end portion of the handle extends from the proximal end of the guide tube. The engagement being releasable upon a force applied to the proximal end portion of the handle to extend the distal tip of the needle out of the guide tube.