Syringe Safety Sheath Extender Grip Dynamics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Safety devices for injection syringes often have grip flanges that are too small for individuals with inflammatory joint pain or dexterity issues, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis, making it difficult for them to manipulate the device effectively.
Innovation Solution
A safety device for injection syringes featuring a protective sheath with an extender member that enlarges the grip surface, allowing for easier handling, along with a return spring to automatically cover the needle, and an annular skirt for centering and masking the spring, enhancing user experience and preventing re-use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the grip flange size is kept small to reduce device size and storage space, then the device is more compact for storage and transport, but the device becomes difficult to manipulate for users with dexterity issues or rheumatoid arthritis
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates an extender member that can be selectively positioned or removed, allowing the grip surface area to be dynamically adjusted based on user needs. This dynamic configuration enables the device to transition between a compact state for storage and an extended state for easier manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip surface is segmented into a base flange and an additional extender member. This segmentation allows the extender to be separate from the main device body, enabling it to be added only when needed for users with dexterity challenges, while keeping the base device compact for standard users and storage purposes.
2Ease of operation
If an extender member is added to enlarge the grip surface, then the device becomes easier to manipulate for users with dexterity issues, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extender member is designed to serve multiple functions: it enlarges the grip surface for users with dexterity issues, can be positioned to mask the return spring for aesthetic purposes, and can be configured to prevent re-use of the device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into the extender member component. Rather than having separate elements for grip enhancement, spring masking, and re-use prevention, these functions are combined in a single integrated component that attaches to the syringe support.
3Ease of operation
If the grip surface is made large directly on the sheath, then users with dexterity issues can grip the device easily, but the general device size increases and storage space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The grip surface area is made dynamic through the extender member that can be selectively positioned or removed. This allows the grip surface to be large when needed for users with dexterity challenges and compact when the extender is not in use, optimizing both usability and storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The extender member provides localized enlargement of the grip surface only where needed, rather than uniformly increasing the size of the entire device. This local quality enhancement allows users to grasp the device more easily without proportionally increasing the overall device dimensions.
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 provides a user-friendly grip surface for individuals with dexterity challenges, standardizes manufacturing, and enhances the appearance and sterility perception of the device, while preventing accidental re-use and needle exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring for urging the sheath into the protection position
Data Source
AI summary
A safety device for an injection syringe including a syringe support, a protective sheath for protecting an injection needle carried by the injection syringe, the protective sheath being mounted to slide relative to the syringe support between an injection position in which the needle is uncovered, and a protection position in which the needle is covered, the protective sheath having an initial grip surface enabling the device to be gripped by a user, the initial grip surface being a projection that extends outward from the protective sheath, and a return spring for urging the sheath into the protection position. The sheath also includes an extender member for extending the initial grip surface, being a separate piece from the protective sheath, attached to the protective sheath in such a manner as to present an enlarged grip surface, larger than the initial grip surface.