Pen Needle Safety Cover Locking Mechanism for Reuse Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pen needle systems do not adequately prevent reuse and inadvertent needle pricks, posing safety concerns during handling and disposal.

Innovation Solution

A pen needle tip assembly with a double-ended needle, a removable needle cap, and an outer cover that locks the body after use, ensuring the needle is used only once and preventing accidental exposure during handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pen needle assembly allows easy removal and reinstallation of the needle body, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of reuse and inadvertent needle pricks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of needle installation and removalVSAvoidrisk of reuse and needle pricks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer cover is pre-configured with locking features that automatically engage with the needle body upon reinstallation, preventing reuse before the user can accidentally prick themselves. The safety mechanism is activated by the simple act of reinstalling the needle for proper disposal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The outer cover serves as an intermediary component between the needle body and the user's hand during disposal. By requiring the needle to be reinstalled into the outer cover for removal, the system mediates the disposal process to prevent direct handling of the exposed needle tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the pen needle system uses a simple cover structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent reuse and needle pricks is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of cover structureVSAvoideffectiveness in preventing reuse and needle pricks

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional segments: the needle body with locking features, the outer cover with corresponding engagement features, and the needle cap. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific safety function while maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outer cover combines multiple functions into a single component: it packages the needle initially, serves as the locking mechanism during disposal, and provides the safety shield during removal. This merging achieves reliable safety prevention without requiring multiple separate complex devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10118000B2Pen needle installation and removal safety cover and pen needle assembly utilizing the same

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 STAT MEDICAL DEVICES INC

AI summary

A needle tip assembly for a pre-loaded syringe or a pen needle injection device. The needle tip assembly includes a body comprising a double-ended needle and being installable and removable from the pre-loaded syringe or pen needle injection device. A needle cap is configured to cover a skin puncturing end of the double-ended needle and is removable to exposed the skin puncturing end. An outer cover is structured and arranged to at least install the body onto the pre-loaded syringe or pen needle injection device and remove the body from the pre-loaded syringe or pen needle injection device after the outer cover is re-installed. The body is lockable to the outer cover upon one of re-installation of the outer cover and prior to the body being removed from the pre-loaded syringe or pen needle injection device.