Needle Cover Removal Device with Abutment Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

The removal of needle covers from injection devices poses a risk of needle stick injury due to the high separation force required and the potential for spring back movement, which can cause the needle to bend or stick into the user's hand.

Innovation Solution

A removing device with a housing, a holder, and a needle cover remover, featuring first and second abutment members that move translationally to separate the needle cover from the injection device, allowing safe removal without manual contact or risk of needle bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual separation of needle cover and syringe body is performed by pulling in opposite directions, then the needle cover can be removed, but the risk of needle stick injury increases due to spring back movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle cover removalVSAvoidneedle stick injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A removal device with holder and abutment members is introduced as an intermediary tool between the user and the needle cover. The device holds the syringe body steady with a first abutment member while a second abutment member pushes the needle cover off, eliminating the need for users to directly pull on the needle cover and avoiding spring back injury risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual pulling action is replaced by a controlled pushing mechanism. Instead of users pulling the needle cover off in opposite directions (which causes spring back), the removal device uses abutment members to apply controlled force that pushes the needle cover linearly off the syringe body, substituting the dangerous manual mechanical action with a safer mechanical system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If high separation force is applied to remove the needle cover, then the needle cover can be separated from the syringe body, but the risk of needle bending increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation forceVSAvoidneedle bending

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The removal device acts as an intermediary that applies separation force through controlled abutment members rather than direct manual pulling. The first abutment member stabilizes the syringe body while the second abutment member applies force to the needle cover, distributing the separation force safely and preventing needle bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The separation force is applied segmentally through distinct abutment members rather than as a single pulling force. The first abutment member engages the syringe body and the second abutment member engages the needle cover separately, allowing controlled application of force that prevents needle bending while achieving separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If repeated needle cover removals are performed manually, then multiple injections can be administered, but user tiredness increases and injury risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of injections per dayVSAvoiduser tiredness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The removal device enables self-service operation where the device itself performs the needle cover removal task. The holder automatically positions and stabilizes the syringe, and the abutment members automatically execute the separation action, eliminating the need for users to repeatedly perform manual pulling motions that cause tiredness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The repetitive manual mechanical action of pulling needle covers is replaced by a mechanical removal device that performs the separation automatically. This substitution eliminates user tiredness from repeated injections while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12280247B2Needle cover removing device and a method for removing the needle cover of an injection device

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE SAS

AI summary

The removing device is configured to remove a needle cover removably mounted on a distal tip of an injection device comprising a barrel. The removing device comprises a housing including a holder configured to hold the injection device and a needle cover remover configured to remove the needle cover from the injection device, a first abutment member provided on the holder and being configured to abut against the injection device, a second abutment member provided on the needle cover remover, and being configured to abut against the needle cover, and displacement means configured to displace the needle cover remover relative to the holder in a translational direction so that the first and second abutment members translationally move away from each other in order to separate the needle cover from the injection device.