Needle Assembly Safety Shield Reset Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle assemblies, particularly bone marrow needle assemblies, require substantial force for penetration and have safety shields that become locked in place after use, making it difficult to reset for subsequent sampling without inadvertently releasing the shield, thus hindering reuse.
Innovation Solution
A needle assembly with a safety shield that includes a tubular housing and a locking mechanism, which can be released using an obturator with a reset member, allowing the shield to be moved away from the needle tip for repeated use without accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety shield with locking mechanism is used to protect the needle tip, then safety is improved, but the needle assembly cannot be easily reset for subsequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a tool to remove samples from the needle assembly and also as a key to unlock the safety shield's locking mechanism. By integrating the reset functionality into the existing obturator tool, the patent eliminates the need for separate keys or tools, enabling easy resetting of the needle assembly for subsequent use while maintaining the safety provided by the locked shield during sample collection.
2Reliability
If the safety shield is secured to prevent inadvertent release, then safety is improved, but the complexity of resetting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator serves dual purposes: as a sample removal tool and as a unlocking key for the safety shield. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate resetting mechanisms or additional components, while the spring-loaded locking mechanism maintains safety by preventing inadvertent shield release.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-operating through the obturator itself. The obturator's shaft automatically engages the locking mechanism's cam groove when inserted, and rotating the obturator shaft activates the unlock sequence without requiring external tools or complex procedures. The spring automatically returns the shield to its locked position after unlocking, providing a self-contained reset system.
3Ease of operation
If a key is provided to unlock the shield, then reset capability is improved, but the procedure becomes more difficult because the obturator must be removed first
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator is designed to simultaneously serve as both the sample removal tool and the unlocking key. After the sample is removed by pushing it out with the obturator, the same obturator can be rotated to unlock the safety shield without requiring removal or replacement of the tool. This integrated design streamlines the resetting process and maintains sampling efficiency by eliminating additional steps.
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
Enables easy resetting of the needle assembly for subsequent sampling without inadvertently releasing the safety shield, facilitating reuse while maintaining safety by requiring intentional action to overcome the spring-loaded locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded locking mechanism that can be activated by the obturator to move the shield away from the tip
Data Source
AI summary
A needle assembly is able to collect a sample of biological material in a needle of the assembly. The needle assembly has a safety shield capable of being moved on the needle assembly to cover a sharp tip of the needle assembly. The shield can be locked in place over the sharp tip by a locking mechanism. The assembly further includes an obturator that can be inserted into the needle to remove the sample from the needle. A reset member associated with the obturator is capable of engaging the locking mechanism to release the locking mechanism and allow the shield to be moved away from the sharp tip.