Needle Cover Locking Mechanism Prevents Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling and manipulation of syringe needles pose a risk of accidental needle sticks due to the removal and replacement of caps during injection procedures, and existing disposable needle assemblies do not adequately prevent multiple uses, potentially leading to the transmission of blood-borne diseases.
Innovation Solution
A needle cover apparatus with a base and sleeve that moves between extended and retracted positions, featuring a locking member to prevent accidental exposure and ensure single-use functionality, which is biased towards the extended position to cover the needle after use, thereby reducing anxiety and preventing reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a removable cap is used to cover the needle, then needle protection is improved, but the risk of accidental needle sticks increases due to removal and replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly is designed as a disposable unit that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cap removal and replacement operations. The entire needle assembly including hub and needle is intended for single-use only, thereby eliminating the operational steps that cause accidental needle sticks while maintaining needle protection.
2Reliability
If the needle assembly is made disposable for single use, then disease transmission risk is reduced, but the complexity of ensuring single-use functionality increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly is pre-configured with a locking mechanism that automatically engages after the first retraction operation. The resilient arm is pre-positioned to engage with the sleeve, and the geometry of the components is designed such that the locking action occurs automatically during the normal first use cycle, preventing any subsequent reuse without requiring complex external enforcement systems.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent reuse, then single-use enforcement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the basic structural components of the needle assembly. The resilient arm is integrated into the hub structure, and the locking engagement is achieved through the geometric relationship between existing components rather than adding separate locking parts. This integration ensures single-use enforcement while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 reduces the risk of needle sticks by keeping the needle concealed before, during, and after injections, and ensures the needle is not reused, enhancing safety and reducing anxiety for patients and healthcare providers.
Implementation Method 1
The locking member includes a resilient arm that is moveable from a first position to a second position
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve is biased toward the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A single-use cover assembly that obscures a substantial majority or an entirety of an injection needle from view before, during, and after an injection procedure. The cover assembly includes a housing and a needle sleeve that retracts and extends by sliding axially within the housing. The needle sleeve carries a locking collar that moves from a first position to a second position once the needle sleeve is fully retracted. In the first position the locking collar allows retraction of the needle sleeve from a fully extended position. In the second position, a portion of the locking collar covers a tip of the needle, thereby preventing retraction of the needle sleeve from the fully extended position.