Needle Retraction Apparatus Using Rotational Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional syringe designs with retractable needles often expose users to needle-stick injury due to the need for forwardly directed force to retract the needle, and existing solutions lack compatibility with standard luer lock connectors, limiting their use with generic syringes.
Innovation Solution
A needle retraction apparatus with a frontal attachment that uses rotational activation to align an external retraction chamber with a rearwardly biased needle holder, eliminating the need for forwardly directed force and integrating with syringes via a luer lock connector, ensuring safe needle retraction without exposing the user to contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional syringes with retractable needles use forwardly directed force to retract the needle, then the needle can be retracted into the syringe, but the user is exposed to needle-stick injury and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional retraction mechanism by using rearwardly biased springs instead of forwardly directed force. The springs are compressed during injection and automatically push the needle rearward into the syringe after injection, eliminating the need for the user to apply forward force and exposing themselves to needle-stick injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The retraction system is self-actuating through the compression of rearwardly biased springs during the injection process. The springs automatically generate the retraction force needed to push the needle back into the syringe without requiring additional user action, making the system self-service and eliminating harmful exposure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing retractable needle systems are designed without compatibility with standard luer lock connectors, then the retraction mechanism can be simplified, but the device cannot be used with generic syringes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a luer lock connector that is compatible with standard syringes, allowing the retractable needle system to be used with generic syringes. The connector is integrated into the syringe assembly, enabling universal compatibility while maintaining the specialized retraction functionality through the combination of standard connector components with the proprietary spring mechanism.
3Force
If the retraction chamber is disposed inside the medical device, then the device structure can be compact, but the needle retraction force is insufficient when the needle is inserted into a patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the retraction chamber and spring mechanism in a configuration that extends along the longitudinal axis of the syringe, utilizing the available space efficiently. The rearwardly biased springs are disposed within the syringe barrel but extend toward the rear, creating a distributed force system that generates sufficient retraction force without requiring a bulky external chamber.
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 apparatus effectively retracts the needle into a safe position without applying additional force to the plunger handle or patient, preventing accidental exposure and reuse, while being compatible with standard syringes, thus enhancing user safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a rearwardly biased needle holder
Data Source
AI summary
A needle retraction apparatus for a medical device such as a liquid infusion or collection device, the apparatus having a body, a needle retraction mechanism seated inside the body, a transverse slide member with an external needle retraction chamber, and a retraction actuator that is rotatable relative to the slide member, the retraction actuator being attachable to or made as part of the liquid infusion or collection device, whereby rotation of the device causes the slide member to move in a linear translational direction to reposition the retraction chamber in alignment with the needle retraction mechanism and allow retraction.