Winged Needle Tip Protector Offset Slit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needle tip protectors for winged needles with four protective pieces can experience operational impediments due to improper wing insertion orientation, leading to deformation of protective pieces and potential exposure of the needle tip.
Innovation Solution
A needle tip protector design featuring four protective pieces arranged in a tubular shape, with slits allowing wing insertion and housing windows on the proximal end side, where the slit connection to the housing window is offset from the circumferential center and ends, preventing wing return and needle tip exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If four protective pieces are provided to form slits every 90 degrees for easier wing insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to improper wing insertion orientation causing protective piece deformation and potential needle tip exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The protective piece is divided into multiple regions including a first region, second region, third region, and fourth region arranged circumferentially. Each region serves specific functions: the first and second regions form slits for wing insertion, while the third and fourth regions act as blocking portions to prevent needle tip exposure. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously provide easy insertion paths and reliable protective blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking portions are pre-formed as integral parts of the protective piece structure before use. The third region extends from the proximal end to block the needle tip, and the fourth region extends from the distal end to prevent wing disengagement. These preliminary structural features ensure that the protective function is automatically activated upon insertion without requiring additional actions or adjustments.
2Reliability
If four protective pieces are arranged in a tubular shape with slits for wing insertion, then the protective coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise orientation and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single protective piece structure. The blocking portions (third and fourth regions) are integrated directly into the protective piece rather than being separate components. The slits and blocking portions form a unified structure that provides both insertion guidance and protective blocking functions, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective piece serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural protection for the needle tip, forms insertion slits for wing guidance, and includes integrated blocking portions to prevent needle tip exposure and wing disengagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall device while maintaining comprehensive protective coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Provided is a needle tip protector (10) for a winged needle that protects the winged needle (46) having two wings (58, 58), wherein: slits (38) into which the wings (58) of the winged needle (46) can be inserted are formed circumferentially between four protective pieces (36, 36, 36, 36), the protective pieces being arranged side by side in a tubular shape; four housing windows (34, 34, 34, 34) connected to the respective slits (38) are provided on a proximal end side of the protective pieces (36); and each slit (38) is connected to the corresponding housing window (34) at a location off a circumferential center and circumferentially opposite ends of the housing window (34).