Coaxial Needle Bracket Assembly for Stable Robotic Vial Piercing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic drug reconstitution systems face issues with needle damage and contamination due to the thickness of drug vial seals, leading to inefficient and potentially hazardous manual intervention during the reconstitution process.
Innovation Solution
A robotic-based drug reconstitution system using a coaxial needle and bracket member, where the needle is movably disposed through a bracket member's throughbore, allowing for automated piercing and venting, with venting holes to prevent over-pressurization and maintain sterility, while the bracket member supports the vial during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate piercing needle and venting needle are used, then the needle assembly can perform both piercing and venting functions, but the needles may become damaged or broken during insertion due to seal thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the piercing needle and venting needle into a single integrated coaxial needle assembly. The inner needle performs piercing function while the outer needle provides venting function, eliminating the need for separate needles and reducing the risk of needle damage during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial needle assembly features an inner needle nested within an outer needle. The inner piercing needle is positioned concentrically within the outer venting needle, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously through a single insertion action while protecting the inner needle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate piercing and venting needles are used, then both functions can be performed, but the needles may become stuck in the seal causing the vial to be lifted out of its storage rack
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the piercing and venting functions into a single coaxial needle assembly, the system achieves balanced force distribution during insertion and withdrawal, preventing the vial from being lifted out of its storage rack while maintaining both piercing and venting capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is required to remove the vial from the needle, then the process can be completed, but the reconstitution process becomes time-consuming and may lead to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The coaxial needle assembly is designed to automatically detach from the vial seal after penetration. The inner piercing needle passes through the seal while the outer venting needle prevents vacuum formation, enabling the needle assembly to be withdrawn without manual intervention and without leaving the vial stuck on the needle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameters inside the vial by providing a venting path through the outer needle, preventing vacuum formation that would otherwise cause the vial to adhere to the needle. This pressure parameter change enables automatic detachment and eliminates the need for manual intervention.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is required during reconstitution, then the process can be completed, but the error rate becomes unacceptable and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The automated coaxial needle assembly performs piercing and venting functions without manual intervention, eliminating human error in the reconstitution process. The system autonomously maintains proper pressure balance and prevents contamination, ensuring consistent and accurate dosing.
Data Source
AI summary
A drug reconstitution system includes a robotic arm movable between a plurality of positions, at least one bracket member operably coupled with the robotic arm, and at least one coaxial needle operably coupled with the robotic arm. The at least one bracket member includes a mounting region, a support surface, an upper surface, and a throughbore extending through the support surface and the upper surface. The at least one coaxial needle is movably disposed between the throughbore of the at least one bracket member. The at least one coaxial needle is adapted to pierce at least a portion of a vial and dispense a liquid into the vial during drug reconstitution.