Pen Needle Mounting Device With Ejector Wells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pen needle assemblies require manual handling of exposed needle hubs, increasing the risk of accidental needle sticks during attachment, removal, and disposal, as they often necessitate the use of both hands and can be difficult to manage without exposing the cannula.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing featuring wells for secure retention and separation of needle hubs and inner shields, allowing for friction or interference fits to prevent accidental exposure, along with an ejector mechanism for safe disposal, reduces the need for manual handling of exposed needle hubs and shields, enabling one-handed operation and safer handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual handling of needle hub and inner shield is required during attachment and removal, then ease of manufacture is improved, but safety deteriorates due to increased risk of accidental needle sticks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidrisk of accidental needle stick

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces an intermediary mechanism (the housing with wells and ejector system) that mediates between the user and the needle hub/inner shield components. This intermediary allows automated manipulation of the components through the well structure and ejector, eliminating direct manual contact with potentially exposed cannulas while maintaining ease of use through simple user actions like pressing a button or sliding a mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If both hands are required to connect and remove needle hub, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-service operation where the mechanism itself performs the complex tasks of attaching and removing the needle hub and inner shield. The housing structure with its wells positions components automatically, and the ejector mechanism self-activates to remove used components when triggered by a simple user input, freeing both hands from the operation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates dynamic elements such as movable ejector mechanisms, sliding components, and spring-loaded systems that automatically adjust and respond during operation. These dynamic features enable single-handed operation by providing automatic feedback and movement, transforming a static two-handed manual process into a dynamic automated sequence initiated by one hand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If needle hub is handled after cannula exposure, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts the inner shield from the needle hub assembly and places it in a separate well within the housing. This separation allows the inner shield to be removed and disposed of independently through the ejector mechanism, preventing situations where handled components might accidentally expose the cannula. The extraction and separate containment of the inner shield enhances reliability by eliminating a potential source of accidental exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 significantly reduces the risk of inadvertent needle sticks by allowing secure attachment and detachment of needle hubs to pen delivery devices without handling exposed cannulas and facilitates safe disposal of used components without manual handling, enhancing user safety and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

A device with a housing featuring wells for secure retention and separation of needle hubs and inner shields, allowing for friction or interference fits to prevent accidental exposure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

along with an ejector mechanism for safe disposal, reduces the need for manual handling of exposed needle hubs and shields

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11602600B2Apparatus for mounting a pen needle assembly

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 EMBECTA CORP

AI summary

A storage device (30) for storing a pen needle assembly (10) includes a housing (30) having first wells (44) with a dimension for receiving the pen needle assembly and second wells (46) for receiving an inner shield (24) of the pen needle assembly. The second wells (46) have a diameter less than a diameter of the first wells (44). An ejector (40) in the housing (34) can be actuated to eject the used needle hub (16) and outer covers (22) from the first well (44) and the inner shield (24) from the second well (46) for disposal. A method of coupling a pen needle delivery device to a needle hub positions a needle hub assembly (18) in the first well (44) and inserts the coupling end of the delivery device (10) into the first well (44) and is coupled to the needle hub. The needle hub is pulled from the outer cover (22). The inner shield (24) is inserted into the second well (46) to remove the inner shield from the needle hub.