Syringe Needle Cap Holder with Spring-Loaded Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for handling syringe needle caps pose a risk of needlestick injuries to healthcare workers, as existing solutions often require recapping or unscrewing, which can lead to accidental exposure and are resource-intensive due to the need for frequent preventative measures.
Innovation Solution
A device with holding means that securely attaches to syringe needle caps, applying forces to prevent release until intentionally disengaged, allowing safe removal and recapping without direct contact, and includes fastening mechanisms for secure attachment to surfaces, enabling one-handed operation and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If healthcare workers manually remove and reapply needle caps, then they can control the recapping process, but they are at high risk of needlestick injuries and require frequent preventative treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces an intermediary mechanism (the holder with holding means) between the healthcare worker's hands and the needle cap. The holder securely grasps the cap and syringe assembly, allowing the worker to manipulate the syringe without directly touching the cap or needle, thus eliminating needlestick injuries while maintaining operational control
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables the syringe-cap assembly to be held and manipulated autonomously by the holding means. The spring-loaded holding points automatically engage with the cap and maintain grip throughout the recapping process, freeing the healthcare worker from direct manual handling of the hazardous components
2Reliability
If needle caps are screwed into cap holders, then they can be securely held, but there is a risk of unintentional unscrewing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the threading mechanism from the cap holder design and replaces it with a direct grasping mechanism. The holding means comprises spring-loaded holding points that physically grasp the cap body without requiring it to be screwed into the holder, thereby eliminating the risk of unintentional unscrewing while maintaining secure holding
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the screw-threaded mechanical connection with a spring-loaded grasping mechanism. The holding points use elastic deformation and friction to secure the cap, substituting the rotational threading action with a direct mechanical grasp that cannot be accidentally loosened
3Object-affected harmful factors
If healthcare workers frequently recap syringes, then they can prevent cross-infection, but it increases resource consumption for injury prevention and treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables autonomous holding and manipulation of the syringe-cap assembly, allowing healthcare workers to safely recap syringes without direct hand contact. This self-servicing mechanism reduces the frequency of needlestick injuries, thereby decreasing the need for frequent preventative treatments and reducing resource allocation for injury prevention programs
Data Source
AI summary
A device for holding a needle cap of a syringe is provided. The device includes holding means including at least two holding points for holding the needle cap. The holding means are configured for receiving the cap when inserted along a first direction, applying a cap holding force exceeding a release force required to release the cap from the syringe, and disengaging from the cap when the cap is displaced along the first direction. The device further includes an end stop configured for withstanding a cap applying force in the first direction. The device further includes fastening means for releasably fastening the device to an external surface with an attachment force exceeding the applied release force and the cap applying force.