Needle Mail-Back System With Segmented Syringe Disposal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mail-back systems for used syringes do not efficiently separate the needle from the remaining syringe components, requiring the disposal of the needle, hollow barrel, and plunger together, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A needle mail-back system that includes a needle separation apparatus to separate the needle from the syringe, a storage compartment, sealable container, tracking documentation, and a return envelope, allowing for safe and cost-effective disposal of used needles without the additional costs associated with disposing of the hollow barrel and plunger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If mail-back systems dispose of entire syringes (needle, hollow barrel, and plunger together), then disposal safety is ensured, but disposal cost and material waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposal safetyVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The syringe is divided into separable components: the needle assembly and the hollow barrel with plunger. The needle can be detached from the hollow barrel, allowing selective disposal of only the contaminated needle portion while retaining and reusing the hollow barrel and plunger components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle is extracted as a separate disposable component from the syringe system. Only the needle (which contains the contamination hazard) is disposed of through the mail-back system, while the clean hollow barrel and plunger are retained for future use, reducing material waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If mail-back systems dispose of entire syringes, then complete contamination control is achieved, but disposal cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination controlVSAvoiddisposal cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The syringe system is segmented into disposable needle components and reusable hollow barrel components. This segmentation allows contamination control to be applied only where necessary (the needle) while avoiding unnecessary disposal of clean components, thereby reducing disposal costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle is discarded as a single-use component after contamination, while the hollow barrel and plunger are recovered and retained for future use. This selective discarding and recovering approach maintains contamination control while reducing the frequency and cost of disposal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of substance

If needles are separated from syringes for disposal, then material efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial efficiencyVSAvoidseparation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is designed with preliminary separation features (such as breakable connections or easy-detach mechanisms) that allow straightforward detachment from the hollow barrel. This preliminary design of separation capability simplifies the actual separation action required during disposal, balancing material efficiency with acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8783453B2Needle mail-back systems and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 SHORT GREGG R

AI summary

Needle mail-back systems and kits are disclosed. Methods of making and using needle mail-back kits are also disclosed. Methods of doing business involving needle mail-back systems and kits are also disclosed.