Compact Needle Tip Connector With Resilient Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional needle tip systems for medical injection devices require significant storage space due to their bulk, leading to potential understocking and increased risk of needle reuse and contamination, as users need to carry multiple sterile and used needles for administration and disposal.
Innovation Solution
A compact needle tip system with a connector mechanism allowing easy connection and disconnection from a support, featuring resilient arms that snap onto the support, reducing the overall size and enabling efficient storage and disposal, along with a needle tip storage and dispensing arrangement that includes a magazine with seal elements to maintain sterility and facilitate easy access and disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional needle tips are used, then the needle can be securely attached to the injection device, but the storage volume required is large
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a male connector portion attached to the needle and a female connector portion attached to the injection device. This segmentation allows the needle tip to be stored in a compact form and only assembled with the device when needed, reducing storage volume while maintaining secure attachment through the interlocking connector design
Solution Approach 2:
The male connector portion is designed to insert into and be retained by the female connector portion, creating a nested structure when assembled. The resilient arms of the female connector snap around the male connector, allowing the components to be stored separately in a compact manner while providing secure attachment when combined
2Reliability
If users carry sufficient needle tips, then contamination risk is reduced, but the storage space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with a flattened profile in the lateral dimension, with resilient arms that extend outward but fold inward for storage. This dimensional optimization allows multiple needle tips to be stored compactly in a small space while maintaining the integrity and sterility of each individual needle tip
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the needle tip from the injection device into distinct, portable components, users can carry multiple sterile needle tips in a compact container. Each needle tip remains individually protected until use, preventing contamination while requiring minimal storage space
3Ease of operation
If the connector includes resilient arms, then coupling and uncoupling is facilitated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arms are designed to automatically snap into engagement with the male connector portion when brought together, and can be easily disengaged by applying slight lateral force. This self-latching mechanism facilitates easy coupling and uncoupling without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms, keeping the overall device complexity low while improving ease of operation
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 compact needle tip system reduces storage volume, prevents needle reuse by ensuring users carry the required number, and provides a safe and sterile method for dispensing and disposing of needles, thereby minimizing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
said arms are resilient and configured to snap around corresponding locations on said needle tip support in use, to facilitate coupling and uncoupling
Data Source
AI summary
A needle tip (22) for being connected and disconnected in use from a needle tip support (16), comprises a needle (24) having a forward end and a rearward end and, a connector secured to the needle intermediate its ends. The connector comprises two arms (28) each extending outwardly and rearwardly relative to the needle (16) and configured to be coupled and uncoupled in use from said needle tip support, and the arms are disposed on opposite sides of the needle. Also disclosed are arrangements for storing, dispensing and later disposing such needle tips, as well as coupling interfaces between the needle tip and a needle support cap to which it is fitted in use.