Needle Shield Remover With Spring-Loaded Anchor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle shield removal tools often apply forces that can lead to needle sticks or compromise syringe sterility, as users struggle to remove the needle shield without inadvertently exposing the needle tip, and may damage the shield or assembly during the process.
Innovation Solution
A needle shield remover with a body that transitions between contracted and expanded configurations, featuring a living hinge and anchor mechanism to securely engage the needle shield, allowing for controlled removal without compressive forces, utilizing a sleeve to maintain the contracted state and facilitate safe extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle shield puller is used to remove the needle shield, then the risk of inadvertent needle sticks is reduced, but the device may apply compressive forces that could compromise syringe sterility or damage the needle assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The puller device utilizes a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adjusts the gripping force on the needle shield. The spring element allows the distal portion to exert minimal compressive force during engagement while providing sufficient gripping force for removal, thereby protecting the sterile needle assembly from damage while maintaining safety against needle sticks
Solution Approach 2:
The puller device acts as an intermediary tool between the user and the needle shield. By incorporating a specialized gripping mechanism with controlled force application, it mediates the removal process to prevent both needle sticks and damage to the sterile needle assembly, eliminating the need for users to directly handle the exposed needle
2Ease of operation
If the needle shield is removed by pulling in opposite directions, then the shield can be removed from the syringe, but the sudden movement causes user hands to recoil and direct the needle tip back toward the user
Solution Approach 1:
The puller device serves as an intermediary that safely interfaces with the needle shield, allowing users to apply pulling force without directly handling the shield or exposed needle. The device's gripping mechanism controls the removal motion to prevent sudden movements and hand recoil, thereby maintaining simplicity of operation while eliminating the recoil hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The puller device is designed to be self-contained with an integrated gripping mechanism that automatically engages the needle shield upon insertion. The spring-loaded distal portion self-adjusts to the shield's position, requiring minimal user intervention and eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation that could cause hand recoil
3Productivity
If various devices apply compressive force to remove the needle shield, then the shield can be detached from the syringe, but the needle shield may be damaged or the needle sterility compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides dynamic force control during the removal process. The spring element ensures that only the minimum necessary force is applied to detach the shield, preventing damage to the shield structure and maintaining needle sterility while still achieving efficient removal
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the force parameter from high compressive force to low controlled pulling force. By transitioning from compression to tension and using a spring-loaded mechanism, the force applied to the needle shield is optimized for safe removal without compromising structural integrity or sterility
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 solution minimizes the risk of needle sticks and maintains syringe sterility by allowing for controlled, force-reduced removal of the needle shield, ensuring safe handling and reducing the risk of accidental exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a living hinge extending between the first leg and the second leg. The living hinge provides relative movement of the body between a contracted configuration wherein the distal end of the first and second legs are separated from each other by a contracted distance and an expanded configuration wherein the distal end of the first and second legs are separated by an expanded distance
Data Source
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AI summary
A needle shield remover for removing a needle shield covering a needle on a syringe includes a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion is moveable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration in response to opposite movement of the proximal portion. The distal portion includes an internal opening for receiving and at least partially surrounding a needle shield therein. An anchor extends inwardly from the distal portion into engagement with the needle shield when the distal portion is in the contracted configuration to secure the body to the needle shield. A sleeve is in fixed axial arrangement with the proximal portion of the body. The axial engagement maintains the distal portion of the body in the contracted configuration such that force applied to the sleeve away from the body removes the needle shield and body from a syringe.