Needle Cartridge Ejection Mechanism for Continuous Acupuncture

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current acupuncture procedures require repetitive manual steps such as needle retrieval and insertion, which are energy-consuming and demand significant physical strength from practitioners.

Innovation Solution

A continuous needle ejection device with a pressing portion and needle cartridge portion, featuring a needle advancing mechanism driven by elastic potential energy, allowing for automated and continuous needle ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual needle retrieval and insertion steps are used, then practitioner control and flexibility are maintained, but practitioner fatigue increases and treatment efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacupuncture treatment efficiencyVSAvoidpractitioner physical effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the acupuncture needle system into multiple individual needles arranged in a cartridge, allowing sequential ejection of single needles. This segmentation enables automated continuous operation while maintaining the functional requirements of traditional acupuncture practice.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle ejection mechanism uses elastic potential energy stored in a compressed spring to automatically propel needles forward. The system serves itself by using the stored energy to perform the repetitive ejection action without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby reducing practitioner fatigue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of time

If repetitive manual needle handling is performed, then precise needle placement can be achieved, but significant time and energy are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle retrieval timeVSAvoidpractitioner energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple acupuncture needles are pre-loaded into the cartridge in the correct orientation and position before the treatment begins. The elastic spring is pre-compressed to store potential energy. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for repetitive manual needle retrieval during treatment, saving time and energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables continuous needle ejection by maintaining the elastic potential energy in the spring, which continuously pushes needles forward as they are ejected. This continuous action eliminates interruptions and repetitive manual operations, significantly reducing treatment time and practitioner energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If automated needle ejection is implemented, then treatment efficiency increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle ejection speedVSAvoidmechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex automated ejection mechanism is extracted into a separate, self-contained cartridge module that can be independently manufactured and replaced. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure by isolating the automated function into a modular unit, reducing the complexity burden on the main device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle cartridge is designed as a disposable component that can be quickly replaced after use. This approach simplifies the device structure by eliminating the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, or maintenance systems, as the entire needle assembly is discarded and replaced as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 practitioner fatigue by streamlining needle retrieval and insertion, enhancing acupuncture efficiency through automated needle ejection.

Implementation Method 1

a needle advancing portion possessing elastic potential energy is installed inside the needle cartridge portion, and the elastic potential energy of the needle advancing portion acts on the needle assembly, thereby driving the foremost single needle of the needle assembly to be constantly pushed into alignment with the striking needle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250375352A1Continuous needle ejection device

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 WANG JUNHAO

AI summary

A continuous needle ejection device, comprising a pressing portion and a needle cartridge portion; the pressing portion comprises a striking needle and a housing assembly, and the striking needle is fixed to the housing assembly; a tail end of the needle cartridge portion is located inside the housing assembly, and the needle cartridge portion contains a needle assembly formed by a plurality of single needles arranged sequentially; a needle advancing portion possessing elastic potential energy is installed inside the needle cartridge portion, and the elastic potential energy of the needle advancing portion acts on the needle assembly, thereby driving the foremost single needle of the needle assembly to be constantly pushed into alignment with the striking needle. Operating the pressing portion to move axially relative to the needle cartridge portion drives the striking needle to abut the aligned single needle and push it out.