Universal Needle Shield Puller With Flexible Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle shield pullers are limited in their ability to work with multiple needle shield designs, leading to increased manufacturing and inventory costs for device manufacturers and inconvenience for patients who need to use different shield designs.
Innovation Solution
A cup-shaped device with flexible fingers and circumferential projections that can be adapted to fit various needle shield designs, allowing for easy removal of protective shields from injection devices, including those with rigid or flexible materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specialized needle shield puller is designed for each specific needle shield design, then the removal effectiveness and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield puller is designed with a cup-shaped body and flexible fingers that can accommodate multiple needle shield designs through a single device. The universal design allows the puller to work with different shield geometries without requiring separate specialized tools for each shield type.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller incorporates flexible fingers that can dynamically adapt to different needle shield configurations. The flexibility allows the fingers to conform to various shield shapes and sizes, maintaining reliable grip and removal capability across multiple shield designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If a limited number of needle shield pullers are provided, then the inventory costs are reduced, but the adaptability to different needle shield designs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The puller design achieves universality by using a standardized cup-shaped body with adjustable flexible fingers that can interface with multiple needle shield designs, allowing manufacturers to maintain lower inventory costs while preserving compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible fingers can change their configuration parameters (position, angle, curvature) to adapt to different needle shield geometries. This parameter variability enables a single puller design to accommodate multiple shield types without compromising adaptability.
3Device complexity
If manual removal of needle shields is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but the ease of operation and user comfort deteriorate for individuals with limited manual dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fingers automatically conform to the needle shield geometry when the puller is positioned on the shield. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for complex adjustment procedures by the user, maintaining simplicity while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The puller device acts as an intermediary tool between the user and the needle shield. It provides mechanical advantage and ergonomic handling, making the removal process easier for users with limited manual dexterity while keeping the overall system simple.
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 device effectively removes a wide range of needle shield designs, reducing manufacturing and inventory costs while providing convenience for users by facilitating the removal of protective shields from different medicament delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of fingers is provided with each having a proximal end flexibly coupled with the sidewall. Each finger extends distally within the corresponding sidewall openings.
Implementation Method 2
The at least one projection is engageable with the protective shield when the protective shield is disposed within the interior space.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for removing a protective shield such as a needle shield is disclosed. The device includes a cup shaped body with a sidewall, a distal bottom wall and a proximal opening. The protective shield is insertable into the cup shaped body through its proximal opening. Fingers are disposed opposite each other in openings in the sidewall. The fingers are flexibly coupled with the sidewall at a proximal end of the finger and can be resiliently biased inwardly to engage the protective shield. Each finger includes at least one projection for engaging the protective shield. The fingers may also include a distal engagement surface for engaging a lip on the protective shield.