Pen Needle Shielding Mechanism for Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pen injectors do not effectively shield the proximal end of the pen needle after use, leaving it exposed and prone to inadvertent needle sticks.
Innovation Solution
A safety pen needle assembly with a hub, needle, shield, and biasing means, featuring adjustable tabs or pivoting locking fingers that transition from a first state to a second state to cover the proximal end of the needle, ensuring the shield moves from an initial exposed position to a covered position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the proximal end of the needle is exposed during use, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent needle sticks
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is designed to be movable between two positions: a first position during use where the proximal end is exposed for easy operation, and a second position after use where the proximal end is covered for safety. The spring mechanism enables automatic transition between these states, making the shield dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to urge the shield toward the second (shielded) position. The locking mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage when the shield reaches this position, ensuring safety is activated automatically after use without requiring manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shield mechanism is added to cover the proximal end, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is self-actuating and automatically urges the shield to the second position after use. The locking fingers automatically engage with the shield when it reaches the shielded position, eliminating the need for manual operation or additional complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking fingers act as an intermediary mechanism between the shield and the hub. They provide a simple mechanical interface that automatically locks the shield in place without requiring complex fastening systems or additional components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield is automatically actuated after use, then safety is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically actuates the shield to the second position after use without requiring external control systems, sensors, or complex actuation mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces the precision requirements for manufacturing while ensuring reliable automatic shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly appears to be designed as a single-use disposable device. The spring and locking mechanism are designed for one-time use, which simplifies manufacturing precision requirements compared to reusable systems that would require higher precision for repeated use.
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 minimizes or prevents inadvertent needle sticks by ensuring the proximal end of the pen needle is shielded after use, enhancing user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed to urge the shield from a first position to a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A safety pen needle assembly (10) is provided herein which includes a hub (12); a needle (14) fixed to the hub having a distal end, formed for insertion into a patient, and a proximal end; a shield (18); a biasing means (16) disposed to urge the shield (18) from a first position to a second position; and, at least one adjustable tab or locking finger on the hub, the tab or finger being adjustable from a first state to a second state. With the tab (34) or finger being in a first state, the tab or finger interferingly engages the shield so as to restrict movement thereof. The tab or finger in the first state retains the shield in its first position with the proximal end of the needle being exposed. With the tab or finger being in the second state, the tab (34) or finger does not interferingly engage with the shield. As such, the shield (18) is permitted to be urged proximally to the second position by the biasing means. In the second position, the shield covers the proximal end of the needle. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a mechanism is provided for shielding a proximal, or non-patient, end of a pen needle, particularly after use.