Pre-filled Syringe Safety Device with Automatic Needle Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for pre-filled syringes do not adequately prevent accidental needle stick injuries after injection, and there is a need for a mechanism that automatically shields the needle to prevent reuse and infection.
Innovation Solution
A safety device with a telescoping needle shield and retention and locking mechanism that automatically retracts the needle into a shield after use, using resilient arms and a spring mechanism to ensure the needle is safely covered, preventing accidental exposure and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual needle shield is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing accidental needle stick injuries is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device automatically activates the needle shield through a self-service mechanism. The resilient arm is deflectable by the plunger during injection, which automatically triggers the shield to move into the blocked position, eliminating the need for manual operation and ensuring reliable protection without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic or multi-component mechanical safety systems with a simple resilient arm mechanism. The deflectable resilient arm converts the mechanical motion of the plunger into automatic shield activation, achieving high reliability with minimal device complexity.
2Reliability
If an automatic spring mechanism is used to retract the needle shield, then the reliability of needle protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring mechanism directly with the needle shield assembly, integrating the resilient arm as an integral part of the shield structure. This combination eliminates separate components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining automatic retraction functionality and reliability.
3Reliability
If the needle shield is made larger to ensure complete coverage, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The needle shield is designed as a dynamic component that moves between retracted and blocked positions. The telescopic design allows the shield to extend only when needed for protection, maintaining a compact form during injection operations. This dynamic adjustment ensures complete needle coverage while preserving ease of handling during the injection process.
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 prevents accidental needle stick injuries and ensures the needle is safely shielded after use, reducing the risk of infection and allowing for mass production with a compact design that is economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged with the needle shield as one piece and arranged within the needle shield so as to shield the spring from being influenced from the exterior, wherein the spring is deflected when the needle shield is moved from the first advanced position to the retracted position and moves the needle shield automatically to the second advanced position
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the invention, a safety device (1) for a pre-filled syringe (2) with an injection needle (2.1) comprises - a support body (1.2) adapted to mount the pre-filled syringe (2), - a needle shield (1.1) slidably arranged with respect to the support body (1.2), - a retention and locking means (M) for retaining and locking the needle shield (1.1) with respect to the support body (1.2) in a first and a second advanced position (PA1, PA2) and in a retracted position (PR). The needle shield (1.1) comprises an annular flange (1.1.1) adapted to rest on the skin of the patient receiving an injection. The retention and locking means (M) are arranged at a distal end of the safety device (1).