Safety Needle Assembly Sheath Dynamics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Safety needle assemblies are relatively bulky due to their design, leading to a large footprint that complicates transport and packaging, making them difficult to handle efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The safety needle assembly is designed with the sheath positioned longitudinally from the hub in the starting position, allowing it to enclose the needle partially or wholly, reducing the footprint and enabling more compact packaging and automated handling, using cooperating elements for secure locking in the locked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sheath is positioned at a large angle (about 30 degrees) from the needle in the starting position to ensure firm positioning and sufficient momentum for locking, then the needle is protected from unintended contact, but the footprint of the assembly becomes large, complicating packaging and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is designed to be pivotable between different positions (starting, use, and locked positions) rather than being fixed. This dynamic positioning allows the sheath to achieve firm positioning when needed while minimizing footprint during storage and transport, resolving the contradiction between reliability and compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is divided into functional segments with specific angular positions defined by the hinge mechanism. The starting position is segmented at a reduced angle relative to the needle, separating the protection function from the bulk assembly footprint, allowing compact packaging while maintaining positioning reliability
2Stability of the object's composition
If holding elements are provided to firmly hold the sheath in the starting position during packaging and transport, then the sheath remains stable and prevents unintended opening, but the assembly becomes more complex and bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection itself provides the stabilizing function through its inherent mechanical properties, eliminating the need for separate holding elements. The hinge naturally maintains the sheath in the starting position during transport through its structural design, achieving stability without adding complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing function is merged with the hinge connection mechanism. The same hinge that enables pivoting also provides the holding capability through its structural design, combining multiple functions into a single element and reducing overall device complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sheath is designed to pivot through a large angular displacement to achieve the locked position and cover the needle, then the needle is protected from needlestick injury, but the momentum required increases, making the assembly bulkier and harder to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath utilizes dynamic pivoting motion to transition between positions. The hinge mechanism enables smooth angular displacement with controlled momentum, allowing the sheath to effectively cover the needle in the locked position while maintaining ease of operation during handling
Solution Approach 2:
The angular parameters of the sheath positioning are optimized to achieve effective needle coverage with minimal momentum. By adjusting the angular displacement parameters and hinge characteristics, the design achieves protection from needlestick injury while improving ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments are directed toward a safety needle assembly including a hub having a proximal end for connecting with a syringe extending in a proximal area of the hub; a needle longitudinally extending from a distal end of the hub in a distal area of the hub; and a sheath pivotally connected to the hub. The sheath can have two side walls connected by a back wall defining a receiving space therebetween for receiving the needle; wherein the sheath is adjustable between a starting position in which the sheath is substantially positioned in the distal area of the hub, between a use position in which the sheath is substantially positioned in the proximal area of the hub, and between a locked position in which the sheath is locked to secure the needle into the receiving space.