Pen Needle Outer Cover Hinged Flap Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pen needle systems face difficulties in aligning the non-patient end needle with medication pens and lack a convenient mechanism for protecting the needle after use.

Innovation Solution

A pen needle design featuring an outer cover with a hinged flap and a flexible strip that provides audible and tactile feedback for self-alignment and secure needle protection, ensuring proper axial orientation and easy installation/removal from medication pens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the non-patient end needle is exposed for installation, then the needle can be threaded onto the medication pen, but the user risks accidental needle sticks and alignment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle installationVSAvoidaccidental needle sticks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinged flap is pre-positioned in a closed state before use, automatically protecting the non-patient end needle. When installation is needed, the user opens the flap to expose the needle, then after installation, the flap automatically or manually closes to re-protect the needle. This preliminary protective action eliminates accidental sticks during handling and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hinged flap acts as an intermediary barrier between the user and the exposed needle. It allows controlled access to the needle for installation while maintaining protection during other handling operations, mediating between the need for needle accessibility and the need for user safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the outer cover is opened to install the needle, then the needle can be accessed, but the needle loses protection against accidental sticks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle accessibilityVSAvoidaccidental needle sticks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinged flap transitions between closed (protective) and open (accessible) states dynamically. During storage and transport, the flap remains closed to protect the needle. During installation, the user opens the flap to access the needle. After installation, the flap closes again to restore protection. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between continuous protection and periodic accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The outer cover is segmented into a main body and a hinged flap portion. This segmentation allows the flap to move independently relative to the cover body, enabling the flap to open for needle access while the main cover structure remains intact and can close to restore protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the needle is exposed during installation, then threading onto the pen is possible, but alignment with the medication pen becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle threadingVSAvoidneedle alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The extended proximal side wall of the outer cover acts as an alignment intermediary, guiding the needle-bearing hub into proper axial orientation with the medication pen before the actual threading occurs. This intermediary structure ensures precise alignment without requiring the user to manually align the exposed needle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The extended side wall performs preliminary alignment of the needle-bearing hub with the medication pen before threading begins. By establishing proper axial orientation in advance, the system eliminates alignment difficulties during the actual threading operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the outer cover provides full coverage for needle protection, then accidental sticks are prevented, but alignment and installation become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle protectionVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outer cover is segmented with a hinged flap that can be opened to expose the needle for installation. The segmented design allows the cover to provide full protection during storage while enabling easy access during installation by opening only the flap portion rather than removing the entire cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinged flap provides dynamic protection - fully closed for maximum protection during storage, partially open for needle access during installation, and closed again after installation. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain full coverage protection while facilitating easy installation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10661025B2Pen needle outer cover concepts

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 EMBECTA CORP

AI summary

A pen needle is enclosed by an outer cover to facilitate installation of a needle bearing hub on a medication pen. The outer cover design reduces or eliminates the likelihood of user contact with the patient end needle or the non-patient end needle during installation and disposal, and provides an audible indication when the hub is fully installed on a medication pen.