ABG Syringe Venting and Shielding for One-Handed Blood Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arterial blood collection syringes face issues such as obscured visibility due to safety shields, separate vent caps, and manual mixing of anticoagulants, complicating the blood collection process.
Innovation Solution
An arterial blood module with a safety shield that transitions automatically, an integrated mixing chamber for anticoagulant mixing, and a venting system to expel air bubbles, designed for efficient single-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety shield is used to protect the needle after blood collection, then safety is improved, but the shield obscures the physician's view during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The safety shield is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between an exposed position during the procedure and a shielded position after collection. The shield can be moved along the syringe barrel to provide protection only when needed, maintaining visibility during the critical procedure while ensuring safety afterward.
2Ease of operation
If a separate vent cap is used to expel air bubbles, then air removal function is provided, but the device complexity increases and requires additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is integrated into the syringe plunger assembly rather than being a separate component. The plunger includes a venting mechanism that can expel air bubbles through the needle or a dedicated vent port, combining the sampling and venting functions into a single integrated device that reduces complexity and operational steps.
3Ease of operation
If anticoagulant is pre-loaded inside the syringe, then mixing function is provided, but the user must manually roll or shake the sample to ensure thorough mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe incorporates a mixing mechanism that uses vibration or agitation to thoroughly mix the anticoagulant with the blood sample. This could be achieved through a built-in vibration element or a specialized mixing chamber design that creates turbulent flow, eliminating the need for manual rolling or shaking and reducing mixing time while ensuring complete anticoagulant distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
The arterial blood module including an arterial blood collection element defining a collection chamber, and an arterial blood module removably connectable to a portion of the arterial blood collection element. The arterial blood module includes a hub body, a needle extending from the hub body, and a safety shield engaged with a portion of the hub body and transitionable from a first shield position in which a portion of the needle is exposed to a second shield position in which the needle is shielded by a portion of the safety shield. The arterial blood module also includes a venting chamber, wherein the venting is in fluid communication with the hub body to vent air bubbles from a collected blood sample within the collection chamber of the arterial blood collection element.