Syringe Needle Shield Connection Stability via Nested Interlocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional piercing means protective devices for syringes, which combine a flexible needle shield (FNS) and a dimensionally stable sleeve element, face issues with the FNS slipping out of the sleeve element, leading to potential damage and needlestick injuries due to inadequate mechanical protection.

Innovation Solution

A piercing means protective device featuring a connection element with a projection that engages a recess in the inner element, providing a force fit or interlocking connection between the dimensionally stable sleeve element and the resilient inner element, ensuring mechanical stability and preventing slipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the FNS is held in a receptacle of the sleeve element, then the piercing means is protected from mechanical influences, but the FNS frequently slips out of the receptacle and becomes separated from the sleeve element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidconnection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner element is nested within the sleeve element, with the connection element's projection extending into the inner element's recess. This nested configuration ensures the resilient inner element remains securely positioned within the dimensionally stable sleeve element, preventing separation while maintaining protection for the piercing means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection element acts as an intermediary component between the sleeve element and the inner element. Its projection extends axially and is taken up in the recess of the inner element, creating a force fit and/or interlocking fit that mediates the connection between the two components, preventing the inner element from slipping out.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the FNS is made resilient to protect the piercing means, then the polished portion is protected from mechanical influences, but the FNS does not offer adequate protection from greater mechanical loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from mechanical influencesVSAvoidprotection from greater mechanical loads

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device combines two different materials with complementary properties: a resilient inner element (FNS) made of elastomeric material for protecting against minor mechanical influences and a dimensionally stable sleeve element for protection against greater mechanical loads. This composite structure provides comprehensive protection that neither component could achieve alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the protective device have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The inner element is made resilient to protect the finely polished piercing means from minor mechanical influences, while the outer sleeve element is made dimensionally stable to provide structural integrity and protection from greater mechanical loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the dimensionally stable sleeve element is arranged on the FNS, then adequate protection from greater mechanical loads is provided, but the connection between the FNS and the sleeve element is problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from greater mechanical loadsVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is segmented into distinct functional components: the inner element for resilient protection, the sleeve element for structural stability, and the connection element for secure assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining reliable connections between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 the inner element from slipping out, providing enhanced mechanical protection for the piercing means and ensuring sterility, while allowing for easier removal and handling of the protective device.

Implementation Method 1

The inner element consists of a resilient material and at least partially encloses the piercing means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a connection with a force fit and/or an interlocking fit exists between the sleeve element and the inner element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10335552B2Piercing means protective device for a syringe

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 GERRESHEIMER REGENSBURGH GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a piercing means protective device for a syringe having a syringe body and a piercing means arranged at the distal end of the syringe body, comprising a dimensionally stable sleeve element, which extends along an axial direction and at least partially encloses an inner element extending along an axial direction, wherein the inner element consists of a resilient material and at least partially encloses the piercing means. The piercing means protective device is characterized in that a connection element connected to the sleeve element has at least one projection extending in an axial direction, which projection is received at least in portions in a recess of the inner element, so that a connection with a force fit and/or an interlocking fit exists between the sleeve element and the inner element.