Needle Shield Removal Cap Using a Distal-End Gripping Arm
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicament delivery devices face challenges in efficiently removing needle shields without requiring durable materials like steel, which limits design flexibility and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A sub-assembly for medicament delivery devices featuring a cap with a tubular inner cap body and a gripping arm that engages with the distal end of the needle shield, allowing for a less durable material like plastic to be used, thus reducing costs and enhancing design flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the needle shield remover uses durable materials like steel with tabs gripping the peripheral surface, then the needle shield can be effectively removed, but the material cost increases and design flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a disposable cap with a plastic gripping arm instead of a durable steel needle shield remover. The cap is intended for single use, allowing the use of less durable but cheaper plastic material that can be molded into complex shapes, thereby reducing material costs and enhancing design flexibility while maintaining sufficient removal effectiveness for the intended use cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical steel tab structure with a plastic gripping arm that uses a different mechanical approach - engaging with the distal end face of the needle shield rather than gripping the peripheral surface. This substitution allows for easier manufacturing through molding processes and greater design flexibility in shaping the gripping arm to fit various needle shield configurations
2Ease of manufacture
If the gripping arm engages with the distal end face of the needle shield, then less durable materials like plastic can be used, but the engagement mechanism becomes more specific
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by designing the gripping arm with a specific engagement geometry tailored for the distal end face of the needle shield. The gripping arm features a radially inwards extending structure with a bearing surface that is locally optimized to bear against the distal end face, allowing the use of plastic material while maintaining effective engagement through localized geometric design rather than requiring durable material throughout the entire structure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A sub-assembly for a medicament delivery device, comprising: a cap comprising: an outer cap body, a needle shield remover having a tubular inner cap body arranged concentrically with and radially inwards of the outer cap body, the tubular inner cap body defining a central channel configured to receive a needle shield, the needle shield remover comprising a gripping arm extending axially in a distal direction from a distal tubular inner cap body end of the tubular inner cap body, a medicament container holder comprising: a holding body configured to receive a medicament container, the holding body having a proximal holding body end provided with a c-clip structure, the c-clip structure having open ends in the circumferential direction of the holding body, whereby an axial slot is formed between the open ends, wherein the c-clip structure has a radially inwards extending ledge configured to axially support a shoulder of the medicament container, wherein the gripping arm is configured to be arranged in the slot and engage with a distal end face of the needle shield.