Needle Shield Assembly Hub Engagement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle shielding devices do not allow for easy and passive activation and disconnection from a hub, and they protrude into the catheter introducer hub, interfering with hemostatic valves and seals.
Innovation Solution
A needle device with a needle shield assembly that includes a sliding engagement member and a retainer, allowing the hub to be securely engaged in a non-shielding position and easily disengaged when the needle shield moves to a shielding position, enabling the hub to be removed from the needle shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle shield assembly is designed to securely engage a hub, then connection reliability is improved, but disconnection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic disengaged position through the movement of the needle shield. The retainer mechanism allows the engagement member to automatically shift states based on the needle shield position, providing secure engagement during use and easy disconnection after use without complex manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer mechanism is automatically actuated by the movement of the needle shield itself. When the needle shield moves to the retracted position, the retainer automatically releases the engagement member, enabling self-service disconnection without requiring separate manual disengagement actions or complex control systems
2Reliability
If a needle shield assembly includes engagement and retention mechanisms, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer mechanism is pre-configured to automatically actuate when the needle shield reaches the retracted position. This preliminary arrangement ensures that disconnection is facilitated immediately upon needle retraction, eliminating the need for additional manual disconnection steps and maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic release state through the motion of the needle shield. The engagement member is designed to automatically respond to the changing position, providing reliable connection during use and effortless disconnection after use through the same continuous motion
3Reliability
If the needle shield protrudes into the hub to engage, then connection reliability is improved, but interference with hemostatic valves and seals occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member serves as an intermediary component that provides the necessary connection function without requiring the needle shield itself to protrude into the hub. The engagement member extends from the needle shield to engage the hub, while the retainer mechanism maintains this engagement, allowing the needle shield to remain positioned without interfering with hemostatic valves and seals
Data Source
AI summary
A passively activated needle shield assembly with a hub engagement member for a needle device is provided. The needle shield assembly includes a needle shield movable between a non-shielding position and a shielding position. The needle shield prevents emergence of a sharp distal end of a needle therefrom in the shielding position. An engagement member is slidingly disposed relative to the needle shield for engaging the hub to the needle shield in the non-shielding position. A retainer operatively couples to the engagement member and is positioned to prevent disengagement of the engagement member from the hub in the non-shielding position, and enables removal of the hub from the needle shield by disengaging the engagement member from the hub when the needle shield moves to the shielding position.