Needle Assembly with Self-Unlocking Retainer for Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in preventing re-use and accidental needlestick injuries, as current retractable needle systems are not efficient or easy to unlock, leading to potential re-use and transmission of diseases.
Innovation Solution
A needle assembly with a needle seal and retainer that compresses and deforms after drug delivery, unlocking the needle for efficient retraction into the device, using either flexible or rigid materials to facilitate easy and secure locking and unlocking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retractable needle system is used to prevent re-use and needlestick injuries, then safety is improved, but the unlocking mechanism is not efficient or easy to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly unlocks itself automatically through the interaction between the needle seal and needle retainer. After drug delivery, the needle seal compresses the needle retainer, which triggers the needle to pop out and unlock without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in mechanical parameters (compression force, material deformation) to control the locking and unlocking states. The needle retainer deforms under compression from the needle seal, changing its structural state to release the needle, thereby enabling easy operation through physical parameter transformation.
2Reliability
If the needle is securely retained during drug delivery, then reliability is improved, but the needle cannot be easily retracted after use
Solution Approach 1:
The needle retainer transitions from a static locking state during drug delivery to a dynamic releasing state after compression by the needle seal. This allows the system to maintain secure retention when needed while enabling easy retraction when required, through controlled structural transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle seal is pre-positioned to compress the needle retainer automatically after drug delivery. This preliminary compression action triggers the unlocking mechanism before the user needs to retract the needle, making the retraction process simple and intuitive.
3Device complexity
If a simple needle retention structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism to prevent re-use and ensure safe disposal becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and unlocking functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism involving the needle retainer and needle seal. This combined structure achieves reliable prevention of re-use through the automatic unlocking action while maintaining simplicity, as no separate locking devices or complex control systems are required.
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 effectively prevents re-use of the device and reduces the risk of needlestick injuries by allowing easy and secure retraction of the needle, ensuring safe disposal and preventing disease transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The needle seal is configured to compress the needle retainer after delivering the dose of the drug
Implementation Method 2
the needle seal is configured to deform the needle retainer after delivering the dose of the drug
Data Source
AI summary
A needle assembly (2) for a drug delivery device (1) comprises a needle seal (3), a needle retainer (4) and a needle (5). The needle retainer (4) secures the needle (5) against displacement with respect to said needle retainer (4) when a dose of drug is being delivered. The needle seal (3) is configured to push onto the needle retainer (4) after delivering the dose of the drug, thereby unlocking the needle (5) from the needle retainer (4).