Safety Needle Shield with Biasing Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Needlestick injuries occur when the sharp distal tip of needle assemblies is exposed after use, posing a risk of bloodborne disease transmission to medical staff.
Innovation Solution
A safety needle assembly with a slidable needle shield biased by a compressive element, which can be manually activated to cover the needle tip, featuring a release latch mechanism to prevent accidental exposure and re-exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the needle tip is exposed after use, then the needle assembly is simple and easy to operate, but the risk of needlestick injuries to medical staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is pre-positioned within the body to cover the needle tip during storage and transport. The biasing element is pre-loaded to automatically advance the shield to the covering position when the release latch is actuated, eliminating the need for manual positioning and ensuring the tip is protected before use begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield is designed to be movable relative to the body and needle, transitioning from a retracted position during insertion to an advanced position that covers the tip after use. The release latch mechanism allows dynamic control of the shield's position, enabling it to move from exposed to protected state as needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a needle shield is added to cover the needle tip, then safety against needlestick injuries is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release latch, biasing element, and needle shield are integrated into a single coordinated mechanism. The latch engages with the body structure rather than requiring separate mounting features, and the biasing element uses the existing space within the body, merging multiple functions into unified components that reduce overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle shield is disposed within the body internal passageway, nesting the shield inside the body structure. The biasing element is compressed between the needle hub and the shield, fitting into the available space without requiring external components. This nested arrangement minimizes the overall device footprint and reduces the number of separate parts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the needle shield is made slidable to cover the needle tip, then safety is improved, but the reliability of preventing accidental exposure decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The release latch is designed to engage with a detent feature on the body, creating a mechanical lock that prevents the needle shield from moving proximally and exposing the needle tip. This preliminary locking action counteracts any forces that might accidentally move the shield, ensuring reliable protection until intentional release occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent engagement provides tactile and mechanical feedback to the user, indicating when the needle shield is securely locked in the protected position. This feedback mechanism ensures the user can verify the shield's position and the reliability of the locking mechanism, preventing accidental exposure while maintaining ease of intentional release.
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
Effectively shields the needle tip after use, reducing the risk of needlestick injuries and enhancing safety for medical personnel.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing element engages the needle shield and biases the needle shield toward a distal end of the needle
Data Source
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Figure 7
AI summary
Embodiments of the present safety needle assembly include a slidable needle shield. Digital pressure applied to a leaf spring retention latch removes a compressive force from a biasing member and automatically moves the needle shield from a ready-to-use configuration to a protected configuration in which the needle shield covers the sharp needle tip. In the protected configuration the needle shield is prevented from sliding proximally along the needle a sufficient distance to expose the needle tip.