Pierceable Needle Plug for Contamination-Free Reuse

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a simple and effective way to close off the piercing end of a needle to protect it from damage and contamination, particularly in radiopharmaceutical applications where needles are used with radioactive materials.

Innovation Solution

A pierceable plug with a handle and a curved surface designed to be pierced by a needle, made of materials like silicone or rubber, which can be repeatedly used without leaving a hole and includes antimicrobial agents to prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a needle is left open without a cover, then ease of operation is improved, but the needle is exposed to damage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddamage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A pierceable plug is introduced as an intermediary component between the needle and the environment. The plug has a curved surface that can be pierced by the needle, creating a sealed connection that protects the needle from damage and contamination while maintaining operational access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug incorporates a curved surface made of flexible material that can be pierced by the needle. This flexible surface allows the needle to penetrate while maintaining the protective function, enabling the plug to adapt to the needle's presence without compromising protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid cover is used to protect the needle, then protection is improved, but the cover cannot be repeatedly used without leaving holes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprotectionVSAvoidreusable without leaving holes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The curved surface of the plug is made of flexible material that can be pierced by the needle and then return to its original shape. This flexibility allows the plug to be repeatedly inserted and removed without creating permanent holes, maintaining both protection and reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the curved surface are selected to allow temporary deformation during needle insertion while maintaining structural integrity. The material undergoes reversible parameter changes (shape deformation) that enable repeated use without permanent damage or hole formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If antimicrobial agents are added to the plug, then contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial contaminationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is constructed as a composite material system combining the base plug material with integrated antimicrobial agents. This composite structure provides both the mechanical function of protection and the biological function of contamination prevention within a single unified component, avoiding additional separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The protective function and antimicrobial function are merged into a single plug component. The antimicrobial agents are incorporated directly into the plug structure, combining multiple functions (physical barrier and biological protection) into one integrated device, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 plug effectively protects the needle from damage and contamination, prevents microbial contamination of fluids, and maintains cleanliness in radiopharmaceutical applications.

Implementation Method 1

a curved surface at a second end of the plug, the curved surface being configured to be pierced by the needle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical piercing: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

includes antimicrobial agents to prevent contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Data Source

PatentUS12500008B2Pierceable plug for needle

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 SHINE SPECT USA LLC

AI summary

A pierceable plug for closing off a piercing end of a needle is described herein. The plug has an end that is configured to be pierced by the needle to close off the piercing end of the needle. The plug may be radiation sterilizable and may be made of a material that includes an antimicrobial agent. The plug may be used to close off a needle end that is in fluid communication with a radioactive substance.