Passive Safety Shield for Pen Needle Non-Injection End

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Solution Overview

Problem

Healthcare workers face accidental needlestick injuries from contaminated needles, particularly when removing and disposing of pen needle devices, as existing safety shields do not effectively protect the non-injection end of the needle.

Innovation Solution

A passive safety shield system for pen needles that automatically shields the non-injection end of the needle upon removal of the pen injector, using a shield member with an engaging element or biasing mechanism to ensure the needle is covered without requiring user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a traditional safety shield system is used for pen needles, then the injection end of the needle is protected during injection, but the non-injection end of the needle remains exposed and vulnerable to needlestick injuries during removal and disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of non-injection end from needlestick injuriesVSAvoidcomplexity of shield system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield system is divided into two separate functional shields: an inner shield that protects the injection end during injection, and an outer shield that protects the non-injection end during removal and disposal. This segmentation allows each shield to be optimized for its specific protective function without requiring a single complex shield to perform both functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner shield is nested within the outer shield structure. The inner shield is positioned inside the hub recess while the outer shield encompasses the entire hub assembly. This nested configuration allows both shields to coexist in a compact arrangement, providing dual protection without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the shield system requires manual re-shielding operation, then users have control over the shielding process, but healthcare workers are still exposed to needlestick injuries during the re-shielding step

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereduction of needlestick injuries during shield operationVSAvoidsimplicity of shield activation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shields are pre-positioned in protective configurations before the needle is needed. The inner shield is pre-positioned to cover the injection end, and the outer shield is pre-positioned to cover the non-injection end. This preliminary positioning ensures that protection is automatically available when needed, eliminating the need for manual re-shielding operations that expose workers to risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shield system is designed to maintain its protective function automatically without requiring user intervention. The shields remain in place and provide continuous protection throughout the needle lifecycle, from storage through removal and disposal, eliminating the need for manual re-shielding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If the shield system uses complex engaging elements and biasing mechanisms, then automatic shielding is achieved upon injector removal, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic shielding upon injector removalVSAvoidcomplexity of engaging and biasing mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer shield is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to transition between retracted and extended positions. The shield can move along the hub outer surface in response to injector insertion and removal, providing automatic protection without requiring complex active control systems. This dynamic design achieves automation through simple mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The outer shield acts as an intermediary element between the hub and the environment during removal and disposal operations. It provides a protective barrier that automatically engages when the injector is removed, mediating the interaction between the needle and external forces without requiring complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 needlestick injuries for healthcare professionals by providing automatic protection of the non-injection end of pen needles, enhancing safety during handling and disposal, and simplifying the process with minimal user implementation.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing element (such as a spring) biases the shield toward the pen injector to insure that the shield covers the non-injection end of the needle when the pen injector is removed from the hub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS7384414B1Safety pen needle with non-injection end passive safety features

Publication Date: 2008.06.10 EMBECTA CORP

AI summary

A pen needle according to the invention comprises a needle hub having a recess for a pen injector and vial. When the pen injector is loaded into the hub, the needle cannula mounted in the hub pierces the septum of the vial. A non-patient end (non-injection end) shield positioned in the hub member engages the pen injector and travels with the pen injector when the pen injector is removed, to shield the non-patient of the needle. The shield is locked into place securing the person administering the injection from accidental injury from the non-patient end of the needle.