A holding container for oven baking of syringes with silicone coating

Abstract

A holding cradle for holding a syringe barrel is provided herein. The holding cradle includes a base member and a barrel holder, wherein the barrel holder includes a cylindrical sidewall and a bottom wall having a bottom opening formed therein. A support bracket of the holding cradle is secured to the base member and includes a support platform positioned below the barrel holder and oriented orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the barrel holder, wherein the support platform is aligned with the bottom opening. When a syringe barrel is held in the holding cradle, a plurality of contact points are formed between the syringe barrel and the holding cradle, wherein a first contact point is formed between a distal end of a tip and the support platform, and a second contact point is formed between a side surface of the tip and an inner edge of the bottom wall defining the bottom opening.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 24154981.5, filed on January 31, 2024, entitled “Holding Container for Oven Baking of Syringes with Silicone Coating,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Background of the Invention Field of the Invention This disclosure generally relates to syringes, and more specifically to syringe holding pucks for manufacturing syringe barrels having a baked silicone coating thereon, which support the syringe barrel to prevent or minimize weakening of the syringe barrel tip that may occur during its baking process.

[0003] Description of related technologies Syringes are used in various environments to administer fluids (such as pharmaceuticals or other medications) to a patient. A syringe typically includes a glass (or plastic) syringe barrel with an opening at its distal end and a plunger assembly inserted through the barrel at its proximal end. The distal end of the syringe barrel may include a tip through which the opening is formed. In some embodiments, the tip may be configured as a Luer connector capable of transferring fluid out of or into the syringe barrel, while in other embodiments, the tip may be configured as a hub holding a needle therein for use with the syringe. The plunger assembly typically includes an elongated plunger rod extending from the barrel and a plunger head or stop disposed at the distal end of the plunger rod. The stop is typically made of an elastomeric material and is adapted to ensure the container closure integrity of the syringe when the stop is inserted into the syringe. The plunger assembly is movable within the syringe barrel to force fluid out of and / or draw fluid into the internal volume of the syringe barrel—the stop slides through the barrel when the plunger assembly is actuated by a user.

[0004] To improve the sliding of the stop within the syringe barrel, it is known in the art to lubricate the barrel with a lubricant coating; as a primary example, this lubricant coating is, for example, a silicone coating. The coating can be deposited on the inner wall of the barrel by spraying, dipping, or other suitable application techniques. Siliconization of the syringe barrel's inner wall allows the stop to move or slide smoothly within the chamber; however, it has been found that in some cases, the silicone coating may interact with the components of the drug or agent contained within the syringe barrel, altering the drug's properties. To prevent such interaction between the silicone coating and the drug / agent, the silicone coating applied to the syringe barrel is typically treated. As an example, for silicone coatings containing poly(dimethylsiloxane) emulsions, the coating is typically annealed to form a so-called "baked silicone," reducing the reaction between the coating and the drug / agent contained in the syringe barrel.

[0005] In manufacturing syringe barrels that include a baked silicone coating, a large number of silicone-lubricated syringe barrels are typically loaded into retainers or "supports" for transferring the syringe barrels to an oven where the silicone coating is annealed through a heat treatment process. The retainers can be arranged in arrays of rows and columns into which the syringe barrels are loaded, with the retainers positioned on a conveyor system for moving the retainers through and through the oven used for the heat treatment of the syringe barrels.

[0006] According to existing technology, Figure 1A and Figure 1B A known syringe holder 100 is shown. The holder 100 is formed of a high-temperature resistant metallic material to accommodate holding the syringe barrel 102 during oven baking for annealing the silicone coating. The holder 100 can generally be characterized as including an upper barrel holder 104 and a lower end holder 106. The lower end holder 106 is formed of a generally solid base including a chamber 108 therein, which is sized and configured to receive the end 110 of the syringe barrel 102 therein. In some embodiments, the chamber 108 has a truncated conical shape that tapers / slopes from its bottom to its top, the top of which opens to the upper barrel holder 104. The upper barrel holder 104 is formed of a cylindrical sidewall 112 positioned at the top of the base and extending upward therefrom. The upper barrel retainer 104 has an open top end that allows the syringe barrel 102 to be inserted into the retainer 100; and an open bottom end that provides an entrance into the chamber 108 of the lower end retainer 106.

[0007] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the syringe barrel 102 is first inserted into the retaining bracket 100 through the open top end of the upper barrel retainer 104. Figure 1A The syringe barrel 102 is then placed in and supported by the retaining bracket 100. Figure 1B Therefore, the syringe barrel 102 is held by the retaining bracket 100, wherein the end 110 of the syringe barrel 102 is positioned within the chamber 108 of the lower end retainer 106 and the main portion of the syringe barrel 102 is positioned within the volume defined by the upper barrel retainer 104. With the syringe barrel 102 supported and held by the retaining bracket 100, the syringe barrel 102 is held at an angle—the end 110 is inclined toward an angled sidewall of the truncated conical chamber 108 and the main portion of the syringe barrel 102 abuts against the top edge of the cylindrical sidewall 112 of the upper barrel retainer 104. When in this orientation, it can be appreciated that multiple pressure points are generated on the syringe barrel 102 at the point where it contacts the retaining bracket 100 (in Figure 1B (represented by 114 in the text), and the glass-metal contact at these pressure points 114 may negatively affect the structural integrity of the syringe barrel 102. In particular, the glass-metal contact at the "end groove" (where the main cylindrical body of the syringe barrel 102 narrows and transitions to the end 110) on either side of the syringe tip 110 may negatively affect the end strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 102 (i.e., weaken the end), making the end 110 more prone to breakage.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need in the art for syringe barrel retainers that can hold the syringe barrel in a desired orientation while avoiding or minimizing glass-metal contact between the syringe barrel and the retainer in critical areas of the syringe barrel (e.g., end recesses). The syringe barrel is held and supported within the retainer while a baked silicone coating on the syringe barrel is annealed via an oven baking process. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This document provides a retainer for holding a syringe barrel having a cylindrical body and an end located at the distal end of the cylindrical body. The retainer includes a base member and a barrel retainer mounted on the base member, the barrel retainer defining a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the syringe barrel. The barrel retainer includes a cylindrical sidewall having a top end and a bottom end, and the cylindrical sidewall is oriented along a longitudinal axis extending between the top end and the bottom end, and the top end defines a top opening. The barrel retainer also includes a bottom wall located at the bottom end of the cylindrical sidewall, the bottom wall including a bottom opening formed therein, the diameter of the bottom opening being smaller than the diameter of the top opening. The retainer also includes a support bracket affixed to the base member and including a support platform positioned below the barrel retainer and oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the support platform being aligned with the bottom opening. With the syringe barrel held in the retaining bracket, a multi-point contact is formed between the syringe barrel and the retaining bracket, the multi-point contact including: a first contact point between the distal end of the end and the support platform; and a second contact point between the side surface of the end and the inner edge of the bottom wall defining the bottom opening.

[0010] In some configurations, the multi-point contact also includes a third contact point between the side surface of the cylindrical body of the syringe barrel and the top of the cylindrical sidewall of the barrel holder.

[0011] In some configurations, the base member includes a substrate oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, the substrate including a first extension member and a second extension member spaced apart to define a U-shaped opening.

[0012] In some configurations, the cylindrical sidewall includes a pair of recesses formed on its outer surface, the pair of recesses being located on opposite sides of the cylindrical sidewall, and wherein the first extension member and the second extension member cooperate with the pair of recesses to secure the cylinder holder to the substrate.

[0013] In some configurations, the support platform is positioned within the U-shaped opening defined by the first extension member and the second extension member.

[0014] In some configurations, the support bracket includes a connecting arm extending downward from the support platform and fastened to the substrate.

[0015] In some configurations, the bottom wall of the cylinder retainer slopes downward and inward from the cylindrical sidewall to the bottom opening.

[0016] In some configurations, the diameter of the bottom opening is larger than the diameter of the end and smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical body of the syringe barrel.

[0017] In some configurations, at the first contact point between the distal end of the syringe and the support platform, the support platform supports most of the weight of the syringe barrel.

[0018] In some configurations, the support bracket is made of stainless steel.

[0019] In some configurations, the syringe barrel end includes a Luer fitting or Luer connector.

[0020] This document also provides a system for annealing a plurality of syringe barrels with silicone lubricant. The system includes: a baking oven; and a holding and conveying system for supplying the plurality of syringe barrels to the baking oven for annealing silicone lubricant applied to the plurality of syringe barrels. The holding and conveying system includes: a conveyor; and an array of retaining supports fixed to the conveyor, the conveyor being configured to translate the array of retaining supports into the baking oven. The array of retaining supports includes a plurality of retaining supports, each retaining support including a base member and a barrel retainer mounted on the base member, the barrel retainer defining a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the syringe barrel. The barrel retainer includes a cylindrical sidewall having a top end and a bottom end, and the cylindrical sidewall is oriented along a longitudinal axis extending between the top end and the bottom end, and the top end defining a top opening. The barrel retainer also includes a bottom wall positioned at the bottom end of the cylindrical sidewall, the bottom wall including a bottom opening formed therein, the diameter of the bottom opening being smaller than the diameter of the top opening. The retaining bracket also includes a support frame fixed to the base member and including a support platform positioned below the barrel retainer and oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal axis, the support platform being aligned with the bottom opening. With the syringe barrel held in the retaining bracket, a multi-point contact is formed between the syringe barrel and the retaining bracket, the multi-point contact including: a first contact point between the distal end of the syringe barrel and the support platform; and a second contact point between the side surface of the syringe barrel and the inner edge of the bottom wall defining the bottom opening.

[0021] In some configurations, the base member includes a single base plate that extends along the length of a row of retaining brackets in the retaining bracket array, with each of a plurality of cylinder retainers in the row of retaining brackets being fastened to the single base plate.

[0022] In some configurations, the support bracket includes a single support bracket extending along the length of the row of retaining brackets, the single support bracket being fixed to the single base plate, and wherein the single support bracket includes a support platform located thereon corresponding to each retaining bracket in the row of retaining brackets.

[0023] In some configurations, the conveyor includes a belt and a plurality of mounting brackets arranged along the length of the belt, wherein a corresponding pair of mounting brackets is attached to opposite sides of the belt and secured to the single base plate, thereby connecting a corresponding row retaining bracket to the conveyor and advancing the corresponding row retaining bracket. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a side cross-sectional view of a syringe barrel held in place by a retaining support, as is known in the prior art.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a syringe barrel, which can be used to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a schematic block diagram of a system for annealing multiple syringe barrels with silicone lubricant according to a non-limiting embodiment described herein; Figure 4 According to the non-limiting embodiments described herein Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a portion of the holding and conveying system included in the system; Figure 5 According to the non-limiting embodiments described herein Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a portion of the holding and conveying system included in the system; Figure 6 To maintain the support along the edge according to the non-limiting embodiments described herein Figure 5 The side view section taken from line 6-6; and Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 A retaining bracket, wherein the force vector provided indicates the force applied to the syringe barrel when it is held by the retaining bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments intended for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications, equivalents, variations, and substitutions will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all of these modifications, variations, equivalents, and substitutions are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0027] In the following text, for descriptive purposes, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” and their derivatives shall be used in connection with the present invention as oriented as shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the invention may employ various alternative variations unless explicitly stated otherwise. It should also be understood that the specific devices shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the invention. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical features associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0028] In this disclosure, the distal end of a component or device refers to the end furthest from the user's hand when the component or device is in the use position, i.e., when the user is holding the syringe during preparation or use; while the proximal end refers to the end closest to the user's hand when the component or device is in the use position, i.e., when the user is holding the syringe during preparation or use. Similarly, in this application, the terms "in the distal direction" and "towards the distal end" mean in the direction toward the distal tip of the syringe, while the terms "in the proximal direction" and "towards the proximal end" mean in the direction opposite to the direction of the distal tip of the syringe.

[0029] Various aspects and embodiments of this disclosure relate to syringe barrel retainers that can be used to hold syringe barrels therein as part of an annealing process for providing / forming a baked silicone lubricant coating on the syringe barrel. The retainer is used to hold and transport the syringe barrel to an oven for baked silicone annealing while eliminating / minimizing glass-metal contact between the syringe barrel and the retainer at critical areas of the syringe barrel (e.g., in the end recess) to maintain the end strength / resistance of the syringe barrel and reduce the likelihood of end breakage.

[0030] refer to Figure 2 A non-limiting embodiment of a syringe barrel 10 is shown, which can be used to implement aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure. The syringe barrel 10 may be part of a syringe that also includes a plunger assembly (not shown) axially movable within the syringe barrel 10 to a forward position for administering, for example, an injectable fluid (e.g., a pharmaceutical agent) to a patient. As known in the prior art, the plunger assembly may include a plunger rod having a stop attached to its distal end, the stop being formed of a material different from the material of the plunger rod, such as rubber or another elastomeric material, and capable of forming a tight seal with the syringe barrel 10 as the stop advances through it.

[0031] The syringe barrel 10 comprises a cylindrical body 12 and an end wall 14, which together define a chamber 16 for retaining fluid therein. The syringe barrel 10 includes an open proximal end 18 and a distal end 20, the open proximal end 18 being configured to receive a plunger assembly therein, and the end wall 14 being positioned at the distal end 20. The proximal end 18 of the syringe barrel 10 may include a flange 22 to facilitate manipulation and positioning of the syringe 10 and to maintain the relative position of the syringe barrel 10 with respect to the plunger assembly during drug administration. In one embodiment, the distal end 20 of the syringe barrel 10 may include a tip 24 extending distally and laterally from the end wall 14 and defining an opening or cavity 26 in fluid communication with the chamber 16. In some embodiments, and as... Figure 2 As shown, the tip 24 is configured as a Luer connector or Luer fitting that can mate (when fluid is administered from the syringe barrel) with a corresponding Luer connector or Luer fitting of a vascular access device, or (when fluid is aspirated into the syringe barrel) with a corresponding Luer connector or Luer fitting of a fluid source. It will be understood that in other embodiments, the tip 24 may be configured as a hub within which the needle is secured (i.e., in a post-needle syringe) and extends distally from the hub. Figure 2 As shown, at the transition point from end wall 14 to end head 24, an end head groove or shoulder 28 is formed around end head 24.

[0032] As previously described, it is known in the art to utilize lubricant coatings to lubricate the syringe barrel 10 to improve the sliding of the plunger assembly stop within the barrel. A silicone coating (e.g., a poly(dimethylsiloxane) emulsion, as a primary example) may be deposited on the inner wall of the syringe barrel 10 to allow the stop to move or slide smoothly within the chamber 16. To prevent the silicone coating from interacting with the drug / agent contained within the syringe barrel 10, the coating is typically annealed to form a so-called "baked silicone," thereby reducing the reaction between the coating and the drug / agent contained within the syringe barrel 10.

[0033] Now for reference Figure 3 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a schematic block diagram of a system 30 for annealing a syringe barrel / syringe with silicone lubricant is shown. The system 30 can be characterized as typically including an oven 32, a holding and conveying system 34 for holding and advancing the syringe barrel 10 into the oven 32, a placement device 36 for providing the syringe barrel 10 to the holding and conveying system 34, and a lubricant applicator 38 for applying silicone lubricant to the inner surface of the syringe barrel 10.

[0034] In operation of system 30, lubricant applicator 38 may first operate to apply a silicone lubricant coating (e.g., poly(dimethylsiloxane)) to the inner surface of syringe barrel 10. This application of silicone lubricant to syringe barrel 10 may be performed while syringe barrel 10 is held by placement device 36 or before syringe barrel 10 is secured by placement device 36. Once the silicone lubricant coating is applied to syringe barrel 10, placement device 36 delivers syringe barrel 10 to holding and conveying system 34. Specifically, placement device 36 may place multiple syringe barrels 10 into an array of holding supports 40 of holding and conveying system 34, which are configured to receive and secure syringe barrels 10 therein. Once syringe barrel 10 is received into array of holding supports 40, holding supports 40 may advance along conveyor 42 of holding and conveying system 34, which delivers syringe barrel 10 to oven 32. Oven 32 is used to bake the silicone coating that has been applied to syringe barrel 10 in order to anneal the silicone coating and form a baked silicone coating on the inner surface of syringe barrel 10.

[0035] Now for reference Figures 4 to 6 The holding and conveying system 34, and the construction of each individual retaining bracket 40 of the holding and conveying system 34, are shown in more detail. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the array of retaining brackets 40 can be arranged as multiple rows 44 of retaining brackets 40, which are secured to the conveyor 42 to allow movement of these retaining brackets. In some embodiments, the belt 46 of the conveyor 42 may include a plurality of mounting brackets 48 arranged along the length of the belt 46 and on each of opposite sides of the belt 46. Each of a pair of mounting brackets 48 on opposite sides of the belt 46 can be used to secure a corresponding row 44 of retaining brackets 40 to the conveyor 42. In particular, a base member 50 (which can be considered part of the retaining bracket 40) may be provided extending along the length of the row 44 retaining brackets 40, wherein the base member 50 is secured to a corresponding pair of mounting brackets 48 to secure the row 44 retaining brackets 40 to the conveyor 42.

[0036] The structure of each of these retaining supports 40 is as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6The diagram illustrates that each of these retaining supports 40 typically comprises a base member 50, a cartridge retainer 52 mounted on the base member 50, and a support bracket 56 fixed to the base member 50. The cartridge retainer 52 defines a receiver 54 for receiving at least a portion of the syringe cartridge. One or more of the base member 50, cartridge retainer 52, and support bracket 56 of each retaining support 40 may be formed of a metal or composite material compatible with the annealing process performed on the syringe cartridge 10. In a non-limiting example, each of the base member 50, cartridge retainer 52, and support bracket 56 may be formed of stainless steel. As described in further detail below, the barrel retainer 52 and the support bracket 56 of the retainer 40 work together to hold and support the syringe barrel 10 in the retainer to eliminate / minimize glass-metal contact between the syringe barrel 10 and the retainer 40 at critical areas of the syringe barrel 10 (e.g., at the end groove 28 on the opposite side of the end 24 (where the end 24 connects to the end wall 14)), thereby maintaining the end strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10 and reducing the possibility of end breakage.

[0037] According to various aspects of this disclosure, the base member 50 of the retaining bracket 40 can be configured as a substrate 58 having a planar structure, wherein the substrate 58 is vertically oriented so as to be aligned with the longitudinal axis A of the retaining bracket 40 and the cylinder retainer 52. L Parallel. The substrate 58 can be considered as part of a single retaining bracket 40, but as previously described, all retaining brackets 40 in the respective rows 44 may share a common / single substrate 58 or base member 50, wherein the substrate 58 extends along the length of the row 44 retaining brackets 40 and is fixed to the mounting bracket 48 of the transmitter 42 at the opposite ends of the row of retaining brackets. While the bottom portion 58a of the substrate 58 is configured to be fixed to the mounting bracket 48 of the transmitter 42, the upper portion 58b of the substrate 58 is configured to include a first extension member 60 and a second extension member 62 (for each retaining bracket 40), the first extension member 60 and the second extension member 62 being spaced apart to define a U-shaped opening 64, wherein the extension members 60, 62 extend upward from the bottom portion 58a of the substrate 58.

[0038] Each retainer 40 includes a cylindrical sidewall 66 and a bottom wall 68, which together define a receiver 54 for receiving a portion of the syringe barrel 10 therein. The cylindrical sidewall 66 includes a top end 66a and a bottom end 66b, and extends along the longitudinal axis A of the retainer 40. L Orientation (longitudinal axis A) LExtending between a top end 66a and a bottom end 66b. The top end 66a of the cylindrical sidewall 66 defines a top opening 70 of the cartridge holder 52, wherein the top opening 70 is sized to allow placement of the syringe barrel 10 into the receiver 54 of the cartridge holder 52. In some embodiments, the cylindrical sidewall 66 of the cartridge holder 52 includes a pair of recesses 72 formed on its outer surface to allow attachment of the cartridge holder 52 to the substrate 58. These recesses 72 are formed on opposite sides of the cylindrical sidewall 66 (i.e., arranged 180 degrees apart), and these recesses 72 are configured to receive a first extension member 60 and a second extension member 62 of the substrate 58 therein. The first extension member 60 and the second extension member 62 cooperate with the pair of recesses 72 to secure the cartridge holder 52 to the substrate 58.

[0039] The bottom wall 68 of the syringe holder 52 is positioned at the bottom end 66b of the cylindrical sidewall 66. The bottom wall 68 includes a (bottom) opening 74 formed therein, located at the center of the bottom wall 68. The diameter of the bottom opening 74 is smaller than the diameter of the top opening 70, and the bottom opening 74 is sized such that the tip 24 of the syringe barrel 10 can extend through it (i.e., the diameter of the bottom opening 74 is larger than the diameter of the tip 24), but prevents the cylindrical body 12 of the syringe barrel 10 from passing through it. In some embodiments, the bottom wall 68 may be configured as an inclined bottom wall 68 that slopes downward and inward from the position where the bottom wall 68 connects to the cylindrical sidewall 66 to the bottom opening 74, in order to better accommodate the distal end 20 of the syringe barrel 10, including the tip 24, the end wall 14 of the cylindrical body 12, and the end groove 28 formed on each of the opposite sides of the tip 24, at which the tip connects to the end wall 14.

[0040] The support bracket 56 of the retainer 40 can be configured as a bending member, which typically includes a connecting arm 76 at its lower end and a support platform 78 at its upper end. The connecting arm 76 is used to attach the support bracket 56 to the substrate 58, wherein a first portion 76a of the connecting arm 76 is parallel to and aligned with the substrate 58 and configured to attach to a bottom portion 58a of the substrate 58. In some embodiments, the connecting arm 76 may include a second portion 76b at the bottom end of the first portion 76a, wherein the second portion 76b is arranged orthogonally to the first portion 76a. When the support bracket 56 is fastened to the substrate 58, the second portion 76b can be bent / extended below the bottom edge of the substrate 58.

[0041] The support platform 78 is positioned above the connecting arm 76 of the support bracket 56, wherein the connecting arm 76 extends downward from the support platform 78. The support platform 78 is oriented orthogonal to the first portion 76a of the connecting arm 76 and orthogonal to the substrate 58 (i.e., orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A). LThe support platform 78 is sized and positioned relative to the connecting arm 76 such that the support platform extends below the cylinder holder 52 (also fastened to the base plate 58), wherein the support platform 78 is positioned within a U-shaped opening 64 defined by the first extension member 60 and the second extension member 62 of the base plate 58 and is aligned with and positioned below the bottom opening 74 of the cylinder holder 52.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, similar to the base plate 58, the support bracket 56 can be considered as part of a single retaining bracket 40, but a common / single support bracket 56 (i.e., a common connecting arm 76) can be shared among all retaining brackets 40 in the corresponding row 44 retaining brackets 40, wherein the connecting arm 76 of the support bracket 56 extends along the length of the retaining brackets 40 in the row 44 and is secured to the base plate 58 at multiple locations. The common / single support bracket 56 includes a plurality of support platforms 78 located thereon, wherein each support platform 78 corresponds to a corresponding retaining bracket 40, and each support platform 78 is aligned relative to its cylinder retainer 52, as described in detail above.

[0043] According to other embodiments of this disclosure, a plurality of individual support brackets 56 may be provided on the substrate 58. Each of these support brackets 56 may include an inverted U-shaped member having a support platform 78, wherein each support bracket 56 is positioned within a corresponding U-shaped opening 64 defined by a first extension member 60 and a second extension member 62 of the substrate 58.

[0044] According to various aspects of this disclosure, when the syringe barrel 10 is held in the retaining support 40, a multi-point contact is formed between the syringe barrel 10 and the retaining support 40, wherein the multi-point contact avoids glass-metal contact between the syringe barrel 10 and the retaining support 40 at locations considered "critical areas" of the syringe barrel 10. As a primary example, glass-metal contact between the syringe barrel 10 and the retaining support 40 is prevented at an end groove or shoulder 28 on the opposite side of the end 24, at which the end 24 connects to the end wall 14 ( Figure 2 Instead, such as Figure 6 As shown, the multi-point contact between the syringe barrel 10 and the retaining support 40 may include a first contact point 80 between the distal end of the end 24 and the support platform 78, a second contact point 82 between the side surface of the end 24 and the inner edge of the bottom opening 74 of the bottom wall 68, and a third contact point 84 between the side surface of the cylindrical body 12 of the syringe barrel 10 and the top end 66a of the cylindrical side wall 66 of the barrel retainer 52.

[0045] Now for reference Figure 7The image shows the fixation of the syringe barrel 10 within the retaining bracket 40, wherein force vectors are added at contact points 80, 82, 84 between the syringe barrel 10 and the retaining bracket 40 to illustrate the force applied to the syringe barrel 10 at the contact points.

[0046] like Figure 7 As shown, at the first contact point 80 between the distal end of the end 24 and the support platform 78, a large force is applied to the end of the end 24, indicating that the support platform 78 supports most of the weight of the syringe barrel 10 at the first contact point 80. The force applied to the end 24 at the first contact point 80 is along the longitudinal axis A. L The orientation (i.e., y-axis) allows the force to be absorbed by the length of the tip 24, and the glass-metal contact at the first contact point 80 has almost no negative impact on the tip strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10.

[0047] Also Figure 7 As shown, a small force is applied to the side surface of the end 24 at a second contact point 82 between the side surface of the end 24 and the inner edge of the defining bottom opening 74 of the bottom wall 68. This small force applied to the side surface of the end 24 at the second contact point 82 is angled (e.g., at 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis and is very small, such that the glass-metal contact at the second contact point 82 has almost no negative impact on the end strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10.

[0048] Finally, as Figure 7 As shown, a significant force is applied to the side surface of the cylindrical body 12 at the third contact point 84 between the side surface of the cylindrical body 12 of the syringe barrel 10 and the top end 66a of the cylindrical sidewall 66 of the barrel holder 52. This force applied to the side surface of the cylindrical body 12 at the third contact point 84 is angled (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal axis, and is located at a position on the syringe barrel 10 where the glass-metal contact does not affect the structural integrity of the syringe barrel 10. In other words, the force applied to the side surface of the cylindrical body 12 at the third contact point 84 does not negatively affect the tip strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10.

[0049] Based on all aspects of this disclosure, Figures 4 to 7 The syringe holder 40 shown is designed to hold the syringe barrel 10 within it for annealing the silicone coating on the syringe barrel 10, while at least with... Figure 1A and Figure 1BCompared to existing technology, the retainer 100 does not negatively affect the tip strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10. Based on structural tests of the syringe barrel 10 held by the retainer 40 and retainer 100, it was observed that the tip strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10 held by the retainer 40 is at least 53 N greater than that held by the retainer 100. Furthermore, the tip strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10 held by the retainer 40 never falls below 40 N under any circumstances, thus determining that the tip strength / resistance of the syringe barrel 10 is sufficient to reduce the likelihood of tip breakage.

[0050] Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention therefore provide a syringe barrel retainer configured to hold and support a syringe barrel for performing an oven baking process, thereby providing a baked silicone coating on the syringe barrel. The retainer secures the syringe barrel in a manner that eliminates glass-metal contact between the syringe barrel and the retainer at critical areas of the syringe barrel, such as the end recess or shoulder between the end and the main cylindrical body of the barrel. The retainer includes a support platform that supports most of the weight of the syringe barrel and provides additional contact points between the syringe barrel and the retainer at locations other than the end recess.

[0051] Although this disclosure has been described in detail for illustrative purposes based on embodiments or aspects currently considered most practical and preferred, it should be understood that such detailed description is for that purpose only, and this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments or aspects. Rather, this disclosure is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that this disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A retaining bracket for holding a syringe barrel, the syringe barrel having a cylindrical body and an end located at a distal end of the cylindrical body, the retaining bracket comprising: Base components; A cartridge retainer, mounted on the base member and defining a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the syringe cartridge, the cartridge retainer comprising: A cylindrical sidewall having a top end and a bottom end, and the cylindrical sidewall being oriented along a longitudinal axis extending between the top end and the bottom end, and the top end defining a top opening; and A bottom wall positioned at the bottom end of the cylindrical sidewall, the bottom wall including a bottom opening formed therein, the diameter of the bottom opening being smaller than the diameter of the top opening; and A support bracket fixed to the base member, the support bracket including a support platform positioned below the cylinder retainer and oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the support platform being aligned with the bottom opening; Wherein, when the syringe barrel is fixed in the retaining support, a multi-point contact is formed between the syringe barrel and the retaining support, the multi-point contact including: The first contact point between the distal end of the end and the supporting platform; and The second contact point is between the side surface of the end and the inner edge of the bottom wall that defines the bottom opening.

2. The retaining support according to claim 1, wherein, The multi-point contact also includes a third contact point between the side surface of the cylindrical body of the syringe barrel and the top of the cylindrical sidewall of the barrel holder.

3. The retaining bracket according to claim 1, wherein, The base member includes a substrate oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, the substrate including a first extension member and a second extension member spaced apart to define a U-shaped opening.

4. The retaining bracket according to claim 3, wherein, The cylindrical sidewall includes a pair of recesses formed on its outer surface, the pair of recesses being located on opposite sides of the cylindrical sidewall, and wherein the first extension member and the second extension member cooperate with the pair of recesses to secure the cylinder holder to the substrate.

5. The retaining bracket according to claim 3, wherein, The support platform is positioned within the U-shaped opening defined by the first extension member and the second extension member.

6. The retaining bracket according to claim 3, wherein, The support bracket includes a connecting arm extending downward from the support platform, the connecting arm being fastened to the substrate.

7. The retaining bracket according to claim 1, wherein, The bottom wall of the cylindrical retainer slopes downward and inward from the cylindrical side wall to the bottom opening.

8. The retaining bracket according to claim 1, wherein, The diameter of the bottom opening is greater than the diameter of the end and less than the diameter of the cylindrical body of the syringe barrel.

9. The retaining bracket according to claim 1, wherein, At the first contact point between the distal end of the syringe and the support platform, the support platform supports most of the weight of the syringe barrel.

10. The retaining bracket according to claim 1, wherein, The support frame is made of stainless steel.

11. The retaining bracket according to claim 1, wherein, The syringe barrel end includes a Luer connector or Luer fitting.

12. A system for annealing a plurality of syringe barrels with a silicone lubricant, the system comprising: Baking oven; as well as A holding and conveying system for supplying the plurality of syringe barrels to the baking oven for annealing silicone lubricant applied to the plurality of syringe barrels, the holding and conveying system comprising: Transmitter; and An array of retaining supports is fixed to the conveyor, which is configured to translate the array of retaining supports into the baking oven; The retaining support array includes multiple retaining supports, each retaining support for holding one of the multiple syringe barrels. Each syringe barrel has a cylindrical body and an end located at the distal end of the cylindrical body. The retaining support includes: Base components; A cartridge retainer, mounted on the base member and defining a receiver for receiving at least a portion of the syringe cartridge, the cartridge retainer comprising: A cylindrical sidewall having a top end and a bottom end, and the cylindrical sidewall being oriented along a longitudinal axis extending between the top end and the bottom end, and the top end defining a top opening; and A bottom wall positioned at the bottom end of the cylindrical sidewall, the bottom wall including a bottom opening formed therein, the diameter of the bottom opening being smaller than the diameter of the top opening; and A support bracket fixed to the base member, the support bracket including a support platform positioned below the cylinder retainer and oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the support platform being aligned with the bottom opening; Wherein, when the syringe barrel is fixed in the retaining support, a multi-point contact is formed between the syringe barrel and the retaining support, the multi-point contact including: The first contact point between the distal end of the end and the supporting platform; and The second contact point is between the side surface of the end and the inner edge of the bottom wall that defines the bottom opening.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The base component includes a single base plate that extends along the length of a row of retaining supports in the retaining support array, and each of a plurality of cylindrical retainers in the row of retaining supports is fastened to the single base plate.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The support bracket includes a single support bracket extending along the length of the row of retaining brackets, the single support bracket being fixed to the single base plate, and wherein the single support bracket includes a support platform located thereon corresponding to each retaining bracket in the row of retaining brackets.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The conveyor includes a belt and a plurality of mounting brackets arranged along the length of the belt, wherein a corresponding pair of mounting brackets is attached to opposite sides of the belt and secured to the single base plate, thereby connecting a corresponding row of retaining brackets to the conveyor and allowing the corresponding row of retaining brackets to advance.

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