Segmented Needle Housing for Adjustable Insertion Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current needle assemblies are one-size-fits-all, often too long for complete skin insertion, difficult to control insertion depth, and lack effective guards to prevent iatrogenic injuries and needle breaks.
Innovation Solution
A needle housing system with a retractable guard that allows selective exposure of the needle to desired lengths, featuring a segmented design with perforations for easy detachment and reconfiguration, and a locking mechanism to secure the needle at a specific depth, made from materials like plastic, silicone, or resin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed-length needle is used, then manufacturing is simple, but insertion depth control is difficult and iatrogenic injuries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The needle housing is divided into multiple segments that can be selectively removed or repositioned to adjust the exposed needle length. This segmentation allows the same housing to accommodate different insertion depths while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to fully adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle housing incorporates movable or reconfigurable elements that allow dynamic adjustment of the exposed needle length during use. This enables the system to adapt to different procedural requirements without requiring multiple fixed-length needles or complex automated adjustment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If a retractable guard is added to control needle length, then insertion depth precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard mechanism is implemented through segmented housing sections that can be independently positioned or removed, rather than a continuous adjustable mechanism. This segmentation simplifies the guard structure while still enabling precise control over the exposed needle length through discrete length adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing segments act as intermediaries between the needle and the user, providing a simple mechanical interface for length adjustment. Rather than requiring complex actuators or controls, the intermediary segments can be manually repositioned or removed to achieve the desired needle exposure, simplifying the overall mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If needle length is made adjustable, then adaptability to different procedures improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into removable sections that can be easily detached and reattached by the user without requiring complex tools or procedures. This segmentation enables length adjustment through simple manual manipulation, maintaining ease of operation while providing adaptability for different procedural depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle housing is designed to be self-adjusting through user-friendly mechanisms such as snap-fit segments or simple sliding components that allow operators to modify needle length independently without requiring additional tools or complex procedures. This self-service capability maintains ease of operation while enabling customization.
Data Source
AI summary
Exposed lengths of needles of needle assemblies are adjusted with a needle housing. Also, a cap assembly for use with a needle system selectively covers a tip portion of the needle system. The cap assembly includes a body made up of segments, where one or more of the segments retractably exposes a designated length of the tip portion. When exposed, the tip portion is insertable into a subject object or organism to a depth substantially that of the designated length. In one embodiment the segments are hingedly affixed to one another, and retraction involves pivoting one or more of the segments. In another embodiment, the body is shortened by axially moving a segment with respect to another segment. In an example, the needle system includes a needle assembly having a shaft, a lumen in the shaft, and a bevel on a free end of the shaft.