RFID Needle Shield Assembly With Folded Antenna Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical injection devices face challenges in traceability due to damage-prone and inefficiently readable machine-readable identifiers, which are often exposed on the surface and not optimally positioned for scanning.
Innovation Solution
A rigid needle shield assembly incorporating a flexible needle sheath and an RFID tag with bendable antenna legs positioned between the rigid shield and the flexible sheath, providing protection and improved readability by embedding the RFID tag within the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If machine-readable identifiers are placed on the surface of the container, then they are easily accessible for scanning, but they become susceptible to damage and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is nested within the rigid needle shield structure, specifically positioned between the interior sidewall of the rigid shield and the exterior sidewall of the flexible needle sheath. This nesting protects the identifier while maintaining functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid needle shield acts as an intermediary structure that houses and protects the RFID tag, separating the identifier from direct external exposure while allowing controlled access for scanning
2Reliability
If the RFID tag is embedded within the rigid needle shield, then it is protected from damage and tampering, but it may reduce machine readability
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is positioned in a specific location between the rigid shield and flexible sheath where it receives localized protection while maintaining optimal characteristics for RFID scanning and reading
3Stability of the object's composition
If the antenna legs are made rigid, then they maintain structural stability, but they cannot adapt to the curved surface of the rigid shield
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna legs are designed with flexibility to dynamically adapt to the curved surface of the rigid shield during assembly, while maintaining sufficient structural stability to function as an effective RFID antenna
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna legs are constructed as flexible elements that can conform to curved surfaces, allowing them to adapt to the rigid shield's geometry while maintaining electrical continuity and functional performance
Data Source
AI summary
A rigid needle shield assembly (40) for covering the needle of a syringe including a rigid shield (42) having an open proximal end (44), a distal end (46), an exterior sidewall (47), and an interior sidewall (48), as well as a flexible needle sheath (52) having an open proximal end (54), a closed distal end (56), an exterior sidewall (57), and an interior sidewall (58). The rigid needle shield assembly (40) also includes an RFID tag (60) having at least a first antenna leg (65A) and a second antenna leg (65B). The flexible needle sheath (52) and the RFID tag (60) are housed within the rigid shield (42). Furthermore, the RFID tag (60) is positioned between the interior sidewall (48) of the rigid shield (42) and the exterior sidewall (57) of the flexible needle sheath (52), and the first antenna leg (65A) and the second antenna leg (65B) extend along a length of the rigid shield (42) between the interior sidewall (48) of the rigid shield (42) and the exterior sidewall (57) of the flexible needle sheath (52).