Closed Fluid Transfer Module With Intermediate Syringe Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid transfer devices in the medical field face issues such as high cost, low efficiency, and excessive leakage, particularly when handling and transferring precise amounts of medical fluids, which can be hazardous and require sterile conditions.

Innovation Solution

A fluid transfer module with selectively openable and closeable apertures, integrated valves, and an intermediate container, attached to an electronically controlled dispensing system, ensuring a substantially closed system to prevent leakage and allow precise measurement and transfer of medical fluids between containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fluid transfer devices are used, then fluid transfer capability is provided, but fluid leakage and vapor escape occur leading to contamination and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid containment reliabilityVSAvoidfluid leakage and vapor escape
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains a closed system environment that prevents fluid exposure to ambient air, effectively creating an inert protective atmosphere that eliminates contamination risks and safety hazards associated with fluid leakage and vapor escape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate container as a mediator between the source and target containers, providing an additional containment barrier and control point that enhances fluid containment reliability while preventing direct exposure and potential leakage pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If open transfer systems are used, then操作简单性 is improved, but exposure to ambient air increases leading to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid transfer operation simplicityVSAvoidambient air exposure and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closed system design maintains fluid containment throughout the transfer process, creating a protected environment that prevents ambient air exposure and contamination while preserving operational simplicity through automated control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Reliability

If precise measurement and transfer of hazardous fluids is required, then safety is improved, but cost of containment systems increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety in hazardous fluid handlingVSAvoidcontainment system cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate container serves as a controlled mediator that enables precise measurement and transfer of hazardous fluids through a standardized, reusable platform, reducing the need for expensive custom containment systems while maintaining high safety standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The closed system with intermediate container provides a universal platform that can handle various hazardous fluids with consistent safety measures, reducing overall system complexity and cost compared to specialized containment systems for each fluid type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3760180B1Fluid transfer devices
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 ICU MEDICAL INC
  • EP3760180B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3760180B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3760180B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Some embodiments disclosed herein related to a device for transferring precise amounts of fluid from at least one source container to a at least one target container. In some embodiments, the fluid is first transferred from the source container (e.g., a vial) through a connector to an intermediate measuring container (e.g., a syringe). In some embodiments air can pass through an air inlet and enter the vial to compensate for the volume of fluid withdrawn from the vial. An air check valve or a bag or a filter can prevent the fluid from escaping through the air inlet. The precisely measured amount of fluid can then be transferred from the intermediate measuring container to the target container (e.g., an IV bag). In some embodiments the connector can include a source check valve and a target check valve to direct fluid first from the source container to the intermediate measuring container and then from the intermediate measuring container to the target container. Some embodiments of the device can include a motor and a controller for automatically actuating a plunger of the syringe to transfer the desired amount of fluid.