Adaptive Syringe Plunger Interface for Low Dexterity Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
Syringe users, particularly those with lower dexterity or hindered thumb movement, face difficulties in administering medication due to the small, circular end of standard syringe plungers, which provides a limited surface area for applying force.
Innovation Solution
The adaptive syringe plunger assembly includes a syringe and a plurality of syringe interface devices that are removably coupled with the plunger, increasing the surface area for force application and providing various shapes and attachment mechanisms to accommodate different user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a standard syringe plunger with a small circular end is used, then the device structure is simple, but the surface area for force application is insufficient, making it difficult for users with lower dexterity to administer medication
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is divided into two separate components: a standard syringe plunger and a detachable interface device. This segmentation allows the plunger to maintain its simple structure while the interface device provides the enlarged surface area needed for easier force application by users with limited dexterity.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary interface device is introduced between the user's thumb and the plunger. This interface device features a larger surface area that contacts the user's thumb, making force application easier while the other end connects to the plunger to transmit the force effectively.
2Ease of operation
If a larger surface area device is attached to the plunger, then ease of operation is improved for users with limited dexterity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface device is designed to be detachable and replaceable, allowing users to select different interface devices based on their specific needs. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to different user requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through standard attachment and removal mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device serves multiple functions: it provides an enlarged surface area for force application, acts as a protective barrier between the user and the plunger, and can be detached for cleaning or replacement. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple syringe interface devices with different shapes are provided, then adaptability to different user needs is improved, but the quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a universal plunger component and multiple specialized interface devices. Each interface device is designed with specific shape characteristics suited to different user needs, allowing users to select the appropriate interface device rather than requiring all possible variants to be always present.
Solution Approach 2:
Different interface devices are provided with locally optimized characteristics - such as different shapes, sizes, and surface areas - to match specific user requirements. This localized customization allows high adaptability while keeping the overall system manageable by providing only the necessary variants rather than all possible configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive syringe plunger assembly includes a syringe and a plurality of syringe interface devices that are each removably couplable with the syringe. Each of the plurality of syringe interface devices increases a surface area for a syringe user to apply force to the syringe to administer the syringe.