Needle Protection Device with Rotating Arm and Snap-Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical instruments with exposed needles, such as syringes and blood collectors, pose a risk of accidental needle-sticks, leading to potential infections, and existing retractable needle solutions are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A needle protection device with a connecting portion, a protection arm, and a hinge member that rotates to engage holding members in an unretreatable manner, combined with snap-fitting features for secure positioning, to prevent accidental needle exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retractable needle mechanism is used to prevent accidental needle-sticks, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is divided into separate functional components: a protection arm that can be positioned independently, holding members for engagement, and positioning arms with snap-fitting features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without requiring a complex integrated retractable mechanism, thereby improving safety while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection arm is pre-configured with holding members and positioning arms that are ready to engage with the needle hub before use. The snap-fitting features are pre-formed on the positioning arms, allowing for automatic engagement and secure positioning without requiring complex activation mechanisms, thus achieving safety with simple structure and low cost.
2Reliability
If a protection device with multiple engagement mechanisms is used, then reliability of needle coverage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple engagement mechanisms (holding members and snap-fitting positioning arms) are merged into a single integrated protection device structure. The holding members and positioning arms are formed as part of the same protection arm assembly, allowing for simplified manufacturing processes while maintaining reliable needle coverage through the combined action of multiple engagement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection device is designed as a disposable component with simple geometric features (holding members, snap-fitting protrusions and recesses) that can be manufactured cost-effectively using standard molding techniques. The design prioritizes functional reliability over durability, allowing for economical production while ensuring secure needle coverage during use.
Data Source
AI summary
A needle protection device and a safety needle assembly are described. The needle protection device comprises a connecting portion and a protection arm rotatable relative to the connecting portion. A pair of holding members are respectively formed on a proximal end portion of the protection arm and the connecting portion and configured to engage with each other in an unretreatable manner. A pair of positioning arms are respectively formed on the proximal end portion of the protection arm and the connecting portion and formed with at least one pair of complementary snap-fitting features. The paired snap-fitting features are configured to engage each other in a separable manner. The needle protection device and the safety needle assembly not only reliably prevents medical instruments from incurring accidental needle-sticks after use and ensures such medical instruments disposable, but also exhibits a simple structure and low costs.