Closed System Transfer Device Segmentation for Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical transfer devices pose risks of needle puncture injuries to medical staff, lead to concentration errors due to volatile drug liquids, and result in contamination and waste of mixed drug liquids.
Innovation Solution
A closed system transfer device designed without exposed needles, creating a closed environment with a barrel, plunger, and connecting port to prevent needle injuries, maintain concentration accuracy, and prevent contamination between drug liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional syringe with exposed needle is used for medical transfers, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the medical staff faces high risk of needle puncture injuries and infection
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the transfer process into two separate pathways: a first pathway for withdrawing liquid from the source container, and a second pathway for injecting liquid into the destination container. This segmentation eliminates the need for an exposed needle by using sealed connecting ports that interface directly with container closures, thereby maintaining safety while preserving operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary sealed connecting port system that mediates between the source and destination containers. Instead of using an exposed needle that requires manual handling, the connecting ports serve as sealed intermediaries that transfer liquid through closed-system interfaces, eliminating needle exposure risks while maintaining transfer capability.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional syringe is used to transfer volatile drug liquid, then the transfer process is simple, but concentration errors occur due to volatilization
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates a closed system environment that isolates the volatile drug liquid from the external atmosphere throughout the transfer process. The sealed connecting ports and enclosed transfer pathway prevent volatilization by maintaining an inert, controlled environment, thereby preserving concentration accuracy without requiring complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous, uninterrupted transfer of the volatile liquid from source to destination container through sealed pathways. By eliminating the need to expose the liquid to air during transfer (as would occur with conventional syringes), the system maintains continuous closed-system action that prevents volatilization and concentration errors.
3Reliability
If the same needle is used to draw different drug liquids sequentially, then the device is easy to operate, but contamination occurs and drug liquid is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the transfer pathways into separate sealed systems for different liquid transfers. Each connecting port and transfer pathway is designed to be independently sealed, preventing cross-contamination between different drug liquids while maintaining ease of operation through straightforward connection and disconnection of sealed interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed connecting ports serve as sterile intermediaries that interface with container closures without requiring needle penetration. This intermediary system eliminates the contamination risk associated with reusing needles while preserving operational convenience through simple, tool-free connection and disconnection of sealed ports.
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 closed system transfer device reduces the risk of needle injuries and infection, prevents concentration errors and contamination, and minimizes waste of drug liquids by maintaining a closed environment during medical transfers.
Implementation Method 1
The soft plug is operable to be broken to allow the first channel to communicate with the second channel via the drug liquid container
Implementation Method 2
When the operating member of the plunger is pulled by an external force, the rod body drives the piston to move in a direction toward the first end opening of the barrel. The first region of the first cavity is enlarged to draw a drug liquid in the drug liquid container into the first region through the first channel. Simultaneously, the second region is reduced, and air in the second region is discharged to the drug liquid container through the second cavity and the second channel
Data Source
AI summary
A closed system transfer device (CSTD) includes a barrel, a plunger, and a connecting port fixed to the barrel. The barrel includes a first cavity and a second cavity, which are separated. A piston of the plunger is operably moved within the first cavity and divides the first cavity into a first region and a second region that communicates with the second cavity. The connecting port includes a first channel communicating with the first cavity and a second channel communicating with the second cavity. When the CSTD is connected to a drug-liquid container to draw liquid, the first region is enlarged to draw the liquid into the first region from the container through the first channel. Simultaneously, the second region is reduced to discharge air in the second region to the container through the second cavity and the second channel. Thus, the CSTD and the container form a closed environment.