Needle Safety Device Cap Remover Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug delivery devices, such as auto-injectors and syringes, face the challenge of needle safety as the protective needle cap must be removed to expose the needle, leading to potential needle-prick injuries and damage before use.
Innovation Solution
A needle safety device comprising a multi-part needle cap remover with an outer and inner part, featuring a projection and grip member design that allows secure coupling and axial movement, enabling safe removal of the needle cap without early movement of the needle shield, thus preventing exposure of the needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the protective needle cap is removed to prepare the device for use, then the needle becomes accessible for injection, but the risk of needle-prick injuries and needle damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle cap remover is divided into an outer part and an inner part that can separate from each other. The inner part remains coupled to the needle shield to prevent early movement, while the outer part is used to grip and remove the needle cap. This segmentation allows the needle cap to be removed without exposing the needle, as the inner part stays in place to maintain needle coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner part of the needle cap remover acts as an intermediary between the user and the needle shield. It couples to the needle shield and prevents direct interaction between the user and the needle, thereby preventing needle-prick injuries while still enabling the removal of the needle cap through the outer part.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid needle shield is used to protect the needle, then needle safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle cap remover is segmented into an outer part for user interaction and an inner part for coupling with the needle shield. This segmentation allows the complex multi-part structure to be managed separately, with each part having a specific function, thereby reducing the overall complexity while maintaining needle protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner part of the needle cap remover serves multiple functions: it couples to the needle shield to prevent early movement, acts as a mediator to prevent needle-prick injuries, and enables the removal of the needle cap through its interaction with the outer part. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby simplifying the device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the needle cap remover is designed as a single rigid piece, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to prevent early movement of the needle shield is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The needle cap remover is divided into an outer part and an inner part, with the inner part designed to couple with the needle shield. This segmentation allows the inner part to remain in place and prevent early movement of the needle shield, while the outer part can be easily manufactured and assembled. The modular design balances manufacturing simplicity with functional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner part is nested within the outer part, with the inner part coupling to the needle shield and the outer part providing the user interface. This nested structure allows the inner part to maintain the needle shield position while the outer part can be easily manufactured and assembled, combining the benefits of both single-piece construction and stable needle shield positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a needle safety device (1) comprising a needle cap (5) arranged to cover and protect a needle (4), a needle shield (6) relatively movable with respect to a drug delivery device (2) to cover and protect the needle (4) and a needle cap remover (7). The needle cap remover (7) has an outer part (8) adapted to be arranged to the needle shield (6) and an inner part (9) adapted to carry the needle cap (5), wherein the outer part (8) comprises a front end (10) having an opening (11) which at its edge exhibits a projection (12) directed inwards adapted to catch a front projection (13) of the inner part (9) and the inner part (9) comprises a back end (14) having a grip member (15) adapted to grip a back end (16) of the needle cap (5).