Blood Draw Syringe With Preset Vacuum Pressure Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blood draw syringes used with vascular access devices (VADs) face challenges in controlling vacuum pressure, leading to increased mechanical hemolysis and difficulty in managing draw rates, which are not addressed by vacuumed blood collection tubes.

Innovation Solution

A blood draw syringe with a syringe barrel and plunger assembly that includes markings for setting initial and final stopper positions, limiting vacuum pressure by controlling the volume change during the draw, and optionally using an adapter with an expandable volume to match the pressure of vacuumed blood collection tubes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a blood draw syringe is used with a VAD for collection of a blood specimen, then limitations associated with vacuumed blood collection tubes (LLAD requirement and shelf-life) are eliminated, but the vacuum pressure during the blood draw becomes difficult to control, leading to increased mechanical hemolysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with VADVSAvoidmechanical hemolysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by pre-setting the plunger assembly at specific positions (starting position and stop position) that define a controlled volume range. This volume control parameter directly limits the vacuum pressure generated during blood draw, preventing excessive negative pressure that causes hemolysis. The markings on the syringe barrel provide visual feedback for maintaining proper plunger positioning throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the plunger assembly is freely movable in the syringe barrel, then ease of operation is improved, but the vacuum pressure cannot be controlled, causing hemolysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplunger movementVSAvoidhemolysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the plunger assembly at a starting position before the blood draw procedure begins. This pre-positioning establishes the initial volume that will limit vacuum pressure. The stop position is also predetermined with markings, guiding the user to stop plunger movement at the appropriate point. This preliminary configuration ensures pressure control is built into the device setup rather than requiring active control during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the syringe draw rate is increased to improve productivity, then blood collection speed is improved, but mechanical hemolysis increases due to excessive vacuum pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood collection speedVSAvoidmechanical hemolysis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback through visual markings on the syringe barrel that indicate the starting and stop positions of the plunger assembly. These markings provide real-time visual feedback to the user about plunger position and volume drawn. This feedback mechanism allows users to monitor and control the draw rate, ensuring that blood is drawn at a pace that maintains vacuum pressure within safe limits while still achieving efficient blood collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 limits vacuum pressure to reduce hemolysis and standardizes the draw procedure, ensuring a controlled blood collection process similar to vacuumed blood collection tubes.

Implementation Method 1

a syringe draw rate during collection may be difficult for a user to control, with it recognized that an overly high draw rate can lead to increased mechanical hemolysis that may damage the collected blood sample—i.e., a vacuum pressure created in the blood draw syringe may be too high

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

With the plunger assembly moving proximally within the syringe barrel during a blood draw to move the stopper from the starting position to the stop position, a size of the first volume limits a vacuum pressure in the syringe barrel during the blood draw

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250339068A1Blood Draw Syringe for Controlling Vacuum Pressure During Blood Collection

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

Provided herein is a blood draw syringe connectable to a vascular access device for performing a blood draw. The blood draw syringe includes a syringe barrel and a plunger assembly. The plunger assembly includes a plunger rod and a stopper positioned at the distal end of the plunger rod, with the plunger assembly moveable within the syringe barrel to move the stopper between a starting position and a stop position, with a first volume provided in the chamber with the stopper at the starting position and a second volume provided in the chamber with the stopper at the stop position. The syringe is configured to enable pre-setting of the plunger assembly within the syringe barrel prior to a blood draw, with the stopper being positioned at the starting to provide a first volume that limits a maximum vacuum pressure in the syringe barrel during the blood draw.