Pivotable Cover Accessory for Injection Device Needle Cap Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current needle safety devices, such as the UltraSafe™, are complex to use, especially for patients and caregivers, leading to variations in injection depth and anxiety due to exposed needles, which can impact the efficacy of drug delivery and patient experience.
Innovation Solution
An accessory for injection devices featuring a pivotally movable cover and cap remover mechanism that simplifies the process of engaging and disengaging the needle cap, providing mechanical advantage and ease of use, especially for users with limited dexterity, while allowing the injection device to be securely held and operated with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle safety device is used, then user safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap remover is integrated into the cover structure, forming a single unified component. The cover serves dual purposes: protecting the needle cap and providing the removal mechanism through its pivotal movement, which automatically actuates the cap remover to strip the needle cap upon closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs the cap removal action automatically through the pivotal movement of the cover itself. The mechanical linkage between the cover and cap remover ensures that the act of closing the cover self-activates the cap stripping function without requiring separate manual intervention.
2Device complexity
If manual cap removal is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap remover is pre-positioned and mechanically linked to the cover in such a way that the removal action is automatically initiated when the cover is closed. The pivotal movement of the cover pre-configures the mechanical advantage to strip the needle cap from the syringe barrel without requiring additional user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary element that transfers the user's closing action into the cap removal motion. Through its pivotal movement, the cover mediates between the user's simple closing gesture and the more complex cap stripping action, making the operation easier and more intuitive.
3Device complexity
If the needle cap is not removed automatically, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle cap is removed in advance as part of the device closing action, preparing the syringe for immediate injection. This preliminary cap removal eliminates the need for a separate manual stripping step, allowing the healthcare provider to proceed directly to the injection procedure without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap removal function is merged with the cover closing action, combining two previously separate steps (closing the protective cover and removing the needle cap) into a single unified motion. This integration streamlines the workflow and increases operational efficiency.
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 accessory enhances user safety by simplifying the operation of needle safety devices, reducing the risk of accidental needle sticks and improving the ease of use for both healthcare professionals and patients, thereby enhancing the reliability and consistency of injections.
Implementation Method 1
the cover comprises: a proximal end adapted to be moved by a user to move the cover from the open position to the closed position; and a distal end being adapted to move the grip towards an end of the accessory when the cover is moved from the open position to the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory for an injection device having a needle cap. The accessory comprises a body portion comprising a recess adapted to receive the injection device and a cover coupled to the body portion. The cover is pivotally moveable between an open position in which the recess is exposed to receive the injection device, and a closed position in which the cover at least partially closes the recess to hold the injection device in the body portion. The accessory further comprises a cap remover comprising a grip adapted to hold the needle cap. The cap remover is moveable with respect to the body portion.