Barbed Sheet-Bent Grasper for Needle Sheath Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autoinjectors face challenges in securely and efficiently removing protective needle sheaths, posing risks of needle damage and contamination during assembly and use.
Innovation Solution
A grasper for the needle sheath featuring a grasping carrier with multiple bent carrier portions and barbs, allowing secure attachment to the autoinjector cap, which automatically grips and removes the protective needle sheath upon cap removal, preventing needle contamination and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional manual device is used, then the device structure is simple, but manual force is required to drive the medicament through the needle which increases operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The autoinjector device is designed to automatically perform the injection function after the needle sheath is removed. The spring mechanism automatically propels the plunger to inject the medicament through the needle, eliminating the need for continuous manual pressing during injection. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple device structure while reducing operation complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the protective needle sheath is removed by gripping, then the sheath can be removed, but the risk of needle damage and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grasper is pre-assembled on the cap in a closed state before use. When the cap is removed, the grasper automatically opens and grips the needle sheath, preventing premature needle exposure. This preliminary positioning of the grasper ensures the needle remains protected until the moment of sheath removal, resolving the contradiction between ease of sheath removal and needle protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The grasper acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cap and the needle sheath. It provides a controlled gripping action that securely holds the sheath during removal, preventing direct manual contact that could cause needle damage or contamination. This intermediary device resolves the contradiction by enabling easy sheath removal while maintaining needle protection.
3Reliability
If a grasper with multiple bent carrier portions and barbs is used, then secure gripping of the needle sheath is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grasping carrier is divided into multiple bent carrier portions, each with barbs that can independently engage the needle sheath. This segmentation allows the grasper to grip the sheath at multiple points simultaneously, providing secure gripping. The segmented structure is manufactured by bending a sheet metal carrier into specific shapes, which balances gripping reliability with manufacturing feasibility through standard sheet metal forming processes.
4Ease of operation
If the grasper is automatically triggered upon cap removal, then the sheath removal process is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grasper mechanism is merged with the cap assembly, forming an integrated unit. The grasper is pre-assembled on the cap in a closed state, and its automatic triggering is achieved through the mechanical connection between the cap and the grasper carrier. When the cap is removed, the grasper automatically opens and grips the sheath. This merging reduces overall device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single integrated assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure refers to a grasper for a needle sheath removably arranged over a needle, wherein the grasper comprisesa grasping carrier formed of a sheet and multiply bent along a plurality of longitudinal fold edges to form a plurality of carrier portions, wherein more than one of the plurality of carrier portions comprises a respective barb projecting from the surface of the carrier portion.The disclosure further refers to a cap and an autoinjector and a method of producing a grasper.