Pen Needle Linear Cover with Spring-Loaded Slider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pen needles lack effective mechanisms to prevent needle stick injuries, especially after use, and do not minimize physical contact during handling and disposal.
Innovation Solution
The pen needle design incorporates a torsion spring, pivot, and slider mechanism that automatically covers the needle tip after use, using a spring-loaded needle cover and retainer system to ensure the tip remains covered during disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple cap or cover is used to protect the needle tip, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing needle stick injuries deteriorates because the cover can be accidentally removed or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic slider mechanism that moves along the needle shaft, transitioning between covering and exposing the needle tip. This dynamic structure ensures the needle is protected during storage and handling, yet easily accessible during use, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and ease of access without requiring complex locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly includes an automatic return mechanism where the slider automatically returns to cover the needle tip after use through spring-loaded or elastic recovery elements. This self-service feature ensures the needle is reliably covered after injection without requiring manual intervention, maintaining protection reliability while keeping the structure relatively simple
2Reliability
If a fixed needle cover is used, then the needle tip is reliably protected during storage, but the ease of operation deteriorates because the cover must be manually removed before use
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism transitions from a static cover to a dynamic component that can be easily moved along the needle shaft. Users can simply push or slide the cover off during use, and the automatic return mechanism ensures it covers the needle again after use, eliminating the need for separate removal and replacement steps while maintaining reliable protection
3Reliability
If the needle cover automatically returns to cover the tip after use, then the reliability of preventing needle stick injuries is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional spring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic return mechanism uses simple spring-loaded or elastic elements integrated into the slider assembly. These self-service components automatically propel the slider back to cover the needle tip after injection without requiring power sources, complex actuators, or multiple moving parts, achieving reliable protection while minimizing added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism and return elements are nested within the hollow structure of the slider and needle shaft. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into a compact arrangement, reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining the automatic return function for reliable needle protection
4Object-affected harmful factors
If minimal physical contact with the needle is required, then the hygiene and safety are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot easily attach or remove the needle
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is pre-assembled with the slider cover and hub in a ready-to-use configuration. The hub includes pre-formed engagement features that align with the medication delivery device, allowing users to attach the needle by simple push-on motion without needing to manually position or secure components, thus minimizing physical contact while maintaining 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 solution effectively prevents needle stick injuries by ensuring the needle tip is automatically covered after use and during disposal, minimizing physical contact and enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The pen needle comprises a torsion spring; a pivot rotatably disposed on the hub about the needle, the pivot is engaging with the hub through a torsion spring
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a pen needle (100) having a hub (105) with a first cylindrical compartment and a second cylindrical compartment, wherein the first cylindrical compartment having a smaller circumferential size than the second cylindrical compartment, and a needle (101) held by the hub (105) across the length of the hub (105) defining a center axis, wherein a tip of the needle (101) is exposed within a space of the second cylindrical compartment. The pen needle (100) comprises a spring loaded needle cover (124) installed in the first cylindrical compartment of the hub (105), wherein the spring loaded needle cover (124) comprises a distal end slidable along the center axis to cover the tip of the needle, and two opposingly cantilevered fingers (412, 414), each finger further comprises a protruding peg (422,424) adapted as stopper for restricting movements of the needle cover (124); and a retainer (126) disposed within the second cylindrical compartment and movable linearly in a restricted manner; the retainer (126) comprises a center aperture for receiving the spring loaded needle cover (124).