Needle Shield Grip Structure for Secure Removal and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle shields are difficult for users with reduced finger dexterity or sensitivity to securely grasp, posing a risk of inadvertent needle sticks and damage due to their small size and cylindrical shape.
Innovation Solution
A needle guard grip device with a body featuring alternating convex and concave ribs and an interior cavity, equipped with a retainer clip, facilitates secure handling and easy removal of the needle shield, enhancing user grip and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle shield is made small and cylindrical to cover the needle tip, then it effectively protects against needle sticks, but it becomes difficult for users with reduced finger dexterity to securely grasp
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is divided into two functional parts: a small cylindrical shield portion for needle protection and a larger grip device portion with ergonomic features for easy handling. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip device serves as an intermediary component that connects to the needle shield, providing an extended interface between the user's hand and the small shield. This intermediary structure translates the difficult-to-grasp shield into an easy-to-hold device through ergonomic design elements.
2Reliability
If the needle shield is made small for effective coverage, then protection is improved, but the surface area available for finger contact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the coverage function (small shield) from the gripping function (large grip device), allowing the shield to maintain minimal size for effective needle coverage while the grip device provides ample surface area for finger contact through its enlarged structure and ergonomic features.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip device extends the interaction surface in additional spatial dimensions beyond the small shield's limited surface, creating a larger ergonomic interface that accommodates various finger positions and pressures while the shield maintains its compact protective form.
3Ease of manufacture
If the needle shield has a simple cylindrical shape, then manufacturing is simplified, but it provides poor grip characteristics for users with reduced dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the simple cylindrical shield (easy to manufacture) from the complex grip device portion (optimized for ergonomics). This segmentation allows the shield to maintain manufacturing simplicity while the grip device incorporates ergonomic features like ribs, grooves, and contoured surfaces that enhance graspability despite increased manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip device features localized ergonomic modifications (ribs, grooves, contoured surfaces) in specific areas to enhance grip characteristics, while the shield portion maintains a simple cylindrical form for ease of manufacture. Each region is optimized for its specific function with appropriate complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A needle guard grip device may include a body extending from a first end to a second end along a central longitudinal axis of the body. The body may include a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly to the central longitudinal axis. The plurality of ribs may include a first set of longitudinally spaced ribs disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, and a second set of longitudinally spaced ribs disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis that is opposite of the first side. Moving along the central longitudinal axis, ribs of the first set of longitudinally spaced ribs may alternate with ribs of the second set of longitudinally spaced ribs.