Sampling Device Safety Shield and Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling devices and adapters for needles are not sufficiently engineered to prevent needle stick injuries and the transfer of infectious materials, are often complex, prone to breakage, and expensive, making them unsuitable for widespread use in settings like hospitals and blood banks.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device with a base, flexible arms, a spring mechanism, and a connector system that allows for safe and easy connection of a needle or blood bag tube to a sampling container, featuring a safety shield and locking mechanism to prevent accidental needle exposure and facilitate liquid discharge without manual force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If larger, safer injectors are used to prevent needle stick injuries, then safety is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into three main segments: a base portion that connects to the needle, a sampling container, and a cover portion that acts as a safety shield. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portion is designed to fit over the needle and base assembly, creating a nested structure where the safety shield encloses the potentially hazardous components. This nesting approach maximizes safety without requiring a completely separate complex containment system.
2Ease of manufacture
If simpler, cheaper needles are used with a sampling device adapter, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but needle stick injuries and transference still occur due to insufficient engineering
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion is pre-positioned to automatically shield the needle upon assembly. The locking mechanism is pre-engineered to engage when the sampling container is inserted, ensuring safety features are activated before any potential hazard occurs during the sampling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The base portion acts as an intermediary component between the simple needle and the sampling container, providing the necessary safety features and structural complexity only where needed, while allowing the needle and container to remain simple and inexpensive.
3Ease of operation
If existing sampling devices are used, then sampling function is achieved, but the devices are complicated, break easily, and are too expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling function, safety shielding, and sample containment features are merged into a single integrated device structure. The cover portion simultaneously serves as both the safety shield and part of the sampling mechanism, eliminating the need for separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
Complexity and protective features are applied only where necessary - specifically around the needle connection area and sampling interface - while other portions of the device remain simple and robust, reducing overall complexity and susceptibility to breakage.
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 device effectively reduces the risk of needle stick injuries and material transfer while being simple to manufacture and inexpensive, ensuring safe and efficient sampling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring adapted in use to be located at least partly within said chamber, about said boss and extending away from said bottom end
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling device for a sampling container. A pair of elongate flexible arms extend from a side wall away from a bottom end. The arms being oppositely located across a base chamber. A lower member has a flange and an aperture. A collar extends from the flange and is adapted to retain an end of a spring. An elongate cover has a first end and a second end. The first end being adapted in use to connect to a base and the second end being adapted in use to connect to an upper member. The upper and lower members are adapted to move along the axis by the positioning of a sampling container in the sampling chamber and the application of a force towards a base, permits a needle or blood bag tube located within a connector to discharge liquid into a sampling container.