Retractable Needle Cap with Detent Mechanism for Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Medical devices with forwardly projecting needles pose risks of accidental needle sticks and contamination due to exposure during use and disposal, and existing solutions fail to adequately protect against these risks while allowing for necessary exposure during clinical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a retractable needle and a needle cap that can be selectively positioned to protect the needle before use, expose it during procedures, and be completely removed for injection, featuring a hollow cylindrical cap with detent mechanisms to prevent premature movement and accidental separation, allowing for safer operation and disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the needle cap is completely removed from the device before use, then the needle tip is fully exposed for injection, but the needle becomes vulnerable to damage or contamination by contact with surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle accessibility for injectionVSAvoidneedle damage or contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle cap is designed to be movable along the needle assembly, transitioning between a forward position that protects the needle tip and a retracted position that exposes the needle for injection. This dynamic positioning allows the same cap structure to provide both protection and accessibility without requiring complete removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The needle cap is pre-positioned in the forward protective position before use, and can be selectively retracted to the intermediate or retracted positions when needle exposure is needed. This preliminary positioning ensures protection is automatically in place unless actively moved, reducing the risk of accidental contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the needle cap remains in the forward protective position during use, then the needle is protected from contamination, but the needle tip cannot be accessed for injection or aspiration procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle protection from contaminationVSAvoidneedle accessibility for injection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle cap incorporates a retraction mechanism that allows it to be moved rearwardly along the needle assembly to an intermediate position or fully retracted position, exposing the needle tip when needed for clinical procedures while maintaining the ability to return to the protective forward position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the needle cap is designed to be securely attached to prevent premature movement, then accidental premature exposure is prevented, but the cap cannot be selectively retracted when needle exposure is clinically needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental needle exposureVSAvoidselective retraction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The needle cap uses a detent mechanism with protrusions and recesses that provides controlled, selective movement between discrete positions (forward protective position, intermediate position, and retracted position). This allows the cap to remain securely attached during normal handling while enabling intentional retraction when clinically indicated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The needle cap is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently positioned along the needle assembly. This segmentation allows the cap to function as a distinct protective element that can be selectively retracted without affecting the integrity of the needle or syringe components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the needle cap structure is simple and easily manufacturable, then production cost is reduced, but the cap may lack the structural integrity to reliably protect the needle or the detent mechanism may fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicity and costVSAvoidprotective function reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The needle cap is designed as a simple hollow cylindrical structure with minimal features (openings at both ends and basic detent protrusions), making it easy to manufacture from a single piece of material. This segmented, minimalist design reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining sufficient structural integrity through the cap's cylindrical geometry and attachment features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10391264B2Medical device with selectively retractable needle cap

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 RETRACTABLE TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A medical device having a forwardly-projecting needle and a selectively-movable needle cap that can be variously positioned to cover all or a portion of the needle, depending upon whether the device is, for example, being transported, aspirated or used to inject a therapeutic fluid. The device can optionally be configured to enable retraction of the needle into the body for safe disposal following use.