Slit Puncture Needle Structure for Low-Pain Hub Joint Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing puncture needles face challenges in achieving a balance between reducing pain for the subject and enhancing joint strength to the hub while maintaining a simple configuration, as they often require complex designs to secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
The puncture needle features a slit extending to the distal-end surface with a tubular portion and a tapered portion, where the tubular portion has a constant outer diameter larger than the puncture portion, and the tapered portion's outer diameter gradually decreases towards the puncture portion, ensuring collinear lower contour lines in a lateral view, thereby improving joint strength to the hub.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the puncture needle diameter is reduced to minimize pain, then the joint strength to the hub deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retained portion is divided into two functional segments: a tubular portion for providing attachment area and a tapered portion for mechanical interlocking with the hub. This segmentation allows the thin-walled puncture needle to achieve sufficient joint strength through the combined action of both segments without increasing the puncture portion diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from relying solely on radial thickness (single dimension) to utilizing axial length and geometric shape (multiple dimensions). The tapered portion extends axially into the hub with a specific angle, creating a mechanical interlock that compensates for the reduced radial thickness, thereby maintaining joint strength while keeping the puncture needle diameter small.
2Strength
If the retained portion length is increased to improve joint strength, then the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular portion and tapered portion are merged into a single integrated retained portion structure that is formed together with the puncture needle in one manufacturing process. This merging eliminates the need for separate components or complex assembly steps, achieving both joint strength and manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retained portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: the tubular portion provides adhesive attachment area and structural support, while the tapered portion provides mechanical interlocking with the hub. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single simple structure that does not require additional components or complex configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a slit is formed in the puncture needle to enable sensor insertion, then the attachment area to the hub and adhesive application amount are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retained portion is segmented into tubular and tapered sections, where the tubular portion specifically provides the attachment area for adhesive application. This segmentation ensures that even when the overall needle is thin-walled due to the slit, the attachment area is sufficiently large through the optimized tubular section geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer diameter of the tubular portion is optimized to be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the puncture portion, creating a parameter difference that compensates for the reduced attachment area caused by the slit. This parameter change ensures adequate adhesive application area while maintaining the slit configuration for sensor insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
A puncture needle according to the present disclosure includes a puncture portion having a blade surface at a distal-end surface; and a retained portion connected to a proximal-end puncture-portion side and configured to be retained by a hub. The puncture portion includes a slit extending to the distal-end surface. The retained portion includes: a tubular portion having a substantially constant outer diameter larger than a maximum outer diameter of the puncture portion, and a tapered portion located between the puncture portion and the tubular portion, an outer diameter of the tapered portion gradually decreasing from a tubular-portion side to a puncture-portion side, wherein in a lateral view with the slit facing upward, lower contour lines of the puncture portion, the tubular portion, and the tapered portion are collinear.