When brainstorming, I decided to focus on three different components of the problem: the method of numbing, the application of the numbing agent, and the attachment or integration with the syringe. In my final five solutions, I combined different brainstormed solutions for each component. For some solutions, certain aspects of the design can be swapped out or combined with the others to optimize the design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my first solution, I decided to combine two ideas: integrating a numbing agent into a standard latex glove, and a seal that peels off to expose a numbing agent applicator. Since nurses already have to put on gloves when giving a shot, integrating the numbing agent into a glove minimizes extra steps. The applicator has a little tab that can be used to easily lift off the seal. A pair of numbing-agent-equipped gloves can easily be packaged with each syringe. However, one concern is providing gloves of different sizes and materials (for people allergic to latex), which might make it more convenient or economical to package the gloves and syringes separately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My second solution involves a metal disc with a hole in the center, attached to the syringe with flexible arms. The syringe needle goes through the hole in the disc, and the arms bend and the disc slides down the needle when the needle is plunged into the patient’s skin, keeping the metal disc in contact with the skin throughout the entire procedure. The metal disc could potentially be replaced by the same peel-away seal and numbing agent applicator that is in solution one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instead of applying a numbing agent with a sealed applicator, I brainstormed other application methods and came up with a rolling metal ball, similar to the ball at the tip of a ball-point pen. The numbing agent will lie under the casing surrounding the metal ball, and will be applied when the ball is rolled on the patient’s skin. The metal material of the ball should provide further numbing with cooling in addition the the numbing agent. The metal ball pictured is a bit too large, and a more developed prototype would have a smaller ball for improving both cost and ease of use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my fourth solution, I branched off from the metal roller ball in solution 3 and came up with a more cylindrical rolling device that attaches onto the side of the syringe. The roller would probably be made of a soft, absorbent, spongey material that is imbued with a numbing agent. Either the roller or the entire syringe can be sealed and packaged to ensure the numbing agent does not dry out. To operate this solution, the nurse turns the syringe on its side and runs the roller over the shot location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fifth and last solution involves a tiny cold pack attached to the syringe with a length of string or wire. The pack is full of liquid gel beads, similar to liquid gel pills. With smacked or crushed, the soft casing of the beads breaks and releases chemicals that mix and react together in an endothermic reaction. The activated cold pack could then be placed on the patient’s skin. This solution could be especially fun for young kids who can crush their own cold packs and see the beads break.