Automated Syringe Locking Assembly for Single-Use Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringes used for flushing intravenous catheters can be reused, leading to disease transmission between patients, require high manual force for fluid expulsion, and have a large packaging footprint due to the need for a plunger rod.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design featuring a locking assembly and a biasing member that automatically expels medicinal fluid without a manual plunger, ensuring single-use and reduced packaging size, with a locking member that transitions from a locked to a release position to allow the stopper to move from a first to a second position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual plunger rod is used to expel medicinal fluid, then the syringe can be refilled and reused, but this leads to disease transmission between patients and requires large packaging footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is designed as a single-use disposable device. The barrel, stopper, and locking assembly are configured to be used once and then discarded, eliminating the risk of disease transmission between patients. The locking assembly prevents refilling by mechanically constraining the stopper in its initial position after use.
2Quantity of substance
If a plunger rod extends out of the syringe barrel to provide filling room, then the chamber can be filled with medicinal fluid, but this increases the packaging footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is nested within the syringe barrel in a compact configuration. The locking assembly engages with the stopper in a retracted position, allowing the entire mechanism to be compacted to a small footprint suitable for packaging, while still maintaining adequate chamber volume for medicinal fluid storage.
3Productivity
If high manual force is applied to expel medicinal fluid into the intravenous catheter, then the flushing function is achieved, but this increases operator effort and potential for error
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member automatically propels the stopper to expel the medicinal fluid into the intravenous catheter without requiring manual force from the operator. The system serves itself by using the pre-loaded biasing force to perform the flushing action, eliminating operator effort and reducing potential for human error.
4Reliability
If a locking assembly is added to prevent reuse and enable automatic expulsion, then single-use safety is achieved, but this increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking member with engagement features, a biasing member for automatic propulsion, and a stopper with integrated locking interaction. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity and reliability.
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
The syringe effectively expels fluid with similar or reduced injection force, preventing reuse and reducing packaging size while ensuring safe, single-use operation.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to move the stopper from a first position to a second position
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe comprising a syringe barrel including an open distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and defining a chamber; a stopper disposed within the chamber in sealing engagement with the sidewall; a medicinal fluid filling the chamber of the syringe barrel between the stopper and the open distal end of the chamber; a biasing member configured to move the stopper from a first position to a second position; a locking assembly comprising a proximal end portion covering the proximal end of the syringe and a locking member connected to the stopper. At least a portion of the locking member engages the proximal end portion to hold the stopper in the first position, disengagement of the portion of the locking member from the proximal end portion frees the stopper, and the stopper is moved to the second position by the biasing member.