Bladder Syringe Vacuum Filling via Segmented Barrel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable syringes are costly due to material and precision requirements, and they often face challenges in efficiently filling the container due to the need for substantial sub-atmospheric pressure, which can result in incomplete filling.
Innovation Solution
A bladder syringe design featuring a cylindrical body, cap-bladder assembly, and plunger element with a one-way check valve and seal rings to create a vacuum for filling, allowing for efficient fluid delivery and reduced manufacturing costs through a reusable cylindrical body and disposable cap-bladder assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flexible container is used in a disposable syringe to reduce manufacturing costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but substantial sub-atmospheric pressure is required for filling which increases operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is divided into a reusable rigid barrel and a disposable flexible container assembly. This segmentation allows the expensive rigid components to be reused while only the flexible container is discarded, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining operational performance.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid adapter or mounting structure serves as an intermediary between the rigid barrel and flexible container. This intermediary provides the structural support needed to maintain vacuum without requiring the flexible container itself to be rigid, thus reducing operational difficulty while maintaining cost benefits.
2Quantity of substance
If a spherical container with diameter equal to cylinder space is used, then fill volume is maximized, but substantial force is required at the end of withdrawal stroke which increases operational difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is designed with dynamic characteristics including spring elements or flexible components that allow it to adapt to the varying forces required during the withdrawal stroke. This dynamic design reduces the peak force required at the end of the stroke while maintaining adequate fill volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger diameter is made slightly less than the container diameter, creating a clearance that changes the pressure distribution and force requirements during operation. This parameter change reduces the substantial force needed at the end of the withdrawal stroke while maintaining effective filling.
3Ease of operation
If a rigid spherical container with collapsible bulb is used, then operational difficulties are addressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid adapter and flexible container are merged into a single integrated disposable assembly. This combination simplifies the overall device by eliminating separate components while maintaining the operational benefits of both rigid support and flexible collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible container with its mounting structure is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after each use. This approach simplifies the overall system by allowing the complex flexible-rigid interface to be discarded rather than maintained, reducing device complexity for the reusable portion.
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 bladder syringe system enables efficient filling and fluid delivery with reduced operational force and increased fill volume, while maintaining a reusable cylindrical body and disposable cap-bladder assembly, thus addressing the cost and efficiency issues of traditional syringes.
Implementation Method 1
a substantial sub-atmospheric pressure (vacuum) is created by the piston during the latter part of the withdrawal stroke
Data Source
AI summary
A bladder syringe for a fluid delivery system includes a cylindrical body, a cap-bladder assembly, a plunger element disposed in the cylindrical body, and a mounting assembly to secure the cap-bladder assembly to the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has a distal end and a proximal end and defines a throughbore. The cap-bladder assembly is adapted for connection to the distal end of the cylindrical body, and includes a cap body and a bladder. The cap body defines an interior cavity and a distal discharge conduit and is adapted to engage the distal end of the cylindrical body. A disc-shaped bladder is disposed within the interior cavity and typically includes a central membrane portion. The plunger element is disposed in the throughbore of the cylindrical body and is vented to enable evacuation of the space between the plunger element and the cap-bladder assembly in the cylindrical body.