One-Step Anesthetic Buffering Carpule with Integrated Puncture Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anesthetic injection methods are painful due to the acidic pH of numbing solutions like lidocaine, which can be mitigated by mixing buffering agents like sodium bicarbonate, but this requires a multi-step process.
Innovation Solution
A one-step anesthetic buffering carpule system that integrates sodium bicarbonate within a carpule, where activation releases the buffer to combine with the anesthetic, allowing for direct injection with a buffered solution using a reusable syringe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a buffering solution like sodium bicarbonate is mixed into the anesthetic prior to injection, then injection pain is reduced and anesthetic onset is accelerated, but the process becomes multi-step and less convenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anesthetic and buffering solution into a single carpule unit. The carpule contains compartments for both the anesthetic and buffer, which are mixed immediately before injection through a single activation step, eliminating the need for separate mixing steps while maintaining pain reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering solution is pre-loaded into the carpule alongside the anesthetic. The compartments are prepared in advance with both components, and the mixing action is triggered automatically or with a single user action right before injection, eliminating the need for separate buffer preparation steps
2Duration of action of moving object
If a buffering solution is mixed into the anesthetic prior to injection, then anesthetic onset is accelerated, but the preparation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The carpule integrates both anesthetic and buffer components in a single unit with a unified activation mechanism. The mixing chamber and delivery system are combined, allowing rapid mixing and injection in one continuous action, reducing both preparation complexity and onset time
Solution Approach 2:
The carpule design nests the buffer solution within the anesthetic container structure. The buffer is contained in an inner compartment that can be rapidly mixed with the outer anesthetic solution through a single activation action, achieving fast onset without complex external preparation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a convenient and rapid method for delivering buffered anesthetics, reducing injection pain and accelerating anesthetic onset by integrating sodium bicarbonate directly within the carpule for immediate buffering upon activation.
Implementation Method 1
The chamber contains enough sodium bicarbonate solution to buffer the anesthetic. The buffer is released when the chamber is activated by pressing a puncture unit. This breaks a thin bladder located on the bottom of a rubber plunger, so as to combine the anesthetic and buffer compounds.
Implementation Method 2
A needle is mounted to the syringe, and the rubber plunger is pushed into the carpule so as to extrude the buffered anesthetic into a patient.
Data Source
AI summary
A one-step anesthetic buffering carpule is advantageously disposed within a syringe so as to provide a pH-raising buffer that mixes with the carpule anesthetic just prior to injection. A puncture unit is disposed within a rubber plunger containing the buffer. The puncture unit is manually actuated to detach a rubber plunger seal so as to mix the buffer with the anesthetic.