Single-Needle Blood Collection Tube Holder With Lateral Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood collection tube holders with single needles lack a mechanism for retracting the needle laterally into a full-length retraction cavity through a sliding movement of a frontal attachment relative to the barrel, posing risks of accidental needle sticks and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A blood collection tube holder with a retractable single needle that allows lateral sliding movement of a frontal attachment relative to the barrel, aligning the needle with an integral retraction cavity for safe retraction into the device, using a collapsible elastomeric sheath to prevent fluid leakage and a compressible spring for needle retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single needle is used in the blood collection tube holder, then the device structure is simplified, but the risk of accidental needle sticks and contamination increases due to lack of retraction mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of transitioning between an extended position (for blood collection) and a retracted position (for safety). The spring mechanism provides dynamic movement, allowing the needle to automatically retract into the barrel after use, thereby reducing needle stick risk while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is designed to retract into and be contained within the barrel cavity after use. The barrel serves as a protective housing that can accommodate the needle in both extended and retracted states, effectively nesting the hazardous component within a safe containment structure when not in use
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a retractable needle mechanism is added to the blood collection tube holder, then the safety against needle sticks is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is integrated within the barrel structure rather than being a separate external component. The spring is positioned to engage directly with the needle assembly, combining the safety mechanism with the existing barrel structure. This merging approach adds the necessary retraction functionality while minimizing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism is designed to automatically retract the needle after blood collection without requiring manual intervention. Once the tube is removed from the barrel, the spring automatically propels the needle back into the barrel cavity, providing self-service safety functionality that reduces operational complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the needle is made retractable into the barrel, then the protection of patient and healthcare workers is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel structure is divided into functional zones: a needle retraction cavity for safe needle storage and a blood collection chamber for tube insertion. The partial wall separating these cavities is strategically positioned to facilitate needle movement while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation allows the needle to retract into a dedicated safe zone without requiring high-precision alignment across the entire device
4Ease of operation
If a partial wall is added to separate the barrel and needle retraction cavities, then the needle retraction functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrel is divided into two functional cavities by a partial wall: the blood collection chamber and the needle retraction cavity. This segmentation allows the needle to retract into a dedicated safe zone while maintaining access to the blood collection area. The partial wall provides structural guidance for needle movement without requiring complete separation of the cavities
Solution Approach 2:
The partial wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the barrel, guides the needle during retraction, separates the blood collection and retraction zones, and maintains the integrity of the elastomeric sheath. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, offsetting the complexity added by the wall itself
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 solution effectively reduces the risk of needle sticks and contamination by safely retracting the needle, ensuring the device is non-reusable and preventing bodily fluid leakage after use.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible spring, engaged within the barrel and engaged by the retractable single needle, biased in a direction that biases the retractable single needle in a forwardly extended position
Implementation Method 2
a collapsible elastomeric sheath, disposed in the barrel and covering the rearwardly facing discharge end of the retractable single needle when the retractable single needle is in its forwardly extended position
Data Source
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AI summary
A blood collection tube holder having a retractable single needle and a body comprising substantially parallel and laterally spaced apart barrel and needle retraction cavities separated by a partial wall that facilitates lateral movement of the single needle from the barrel cavity into alignment with the needle retraction cavity to initiate needle retraction. The barrel and a frontal attachment to the barrel are cooperatively configured to facilitate relative sliding movement between in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis through the retractable single needle to initiate needle retraction.