Single-Handed Container Closing System with Rotating Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held medical containers, such as vials, face challenges in maintaining sterility and efficacy due to contamination during transportation and use in remote areas with poor hygiene conditions, where the septum can be damaged or contaminated, especially in multidose vials that require repeated piercing.
Innovation Solution
A closing system with a cap and cover that allows single-handed operation, featuring a hinge and guiding member for easy rotation, providing protection and efficient access to the septum while preventing contamination, and including unidirectional rotation and locking mechanisms to ensure safe and straightforward use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a septum is used to close the container, then the container can be sealed to protect the pharmaceutical product, but the septum can be damaged or contaminated during transportation and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The closing system is divided into separate functional components: a cap that seals the container opening, a cover that protects the access port and septum, and a hinge connecting them. This segmentation allows the cover to act as a protective barrier for the septum during transportation and handling, preventing contamination while maintaining the sealing function of the cap.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary protective element between the external environment and the septum. It includes an access port that can be opened to allow needle insertion, but remains closed during storage and transport to protect the septum from contamination and damage.
2Ease of operation
If the access port is always open for easy access, then the pharmaceutical product can be accessed quickly, but the septum is exposed to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is pre-positioned in a closed state during storage and transport, providing immediate protection to the septum. When access is needed, the cover can be quickly opened by pulling the distal end, allowing rapid access without compromising the pre-established protection during non-use periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed to be dynamically movable between closed (protective) and open (access) states. The hinge connection allows smooth transitions between these states, enabling the cover to adapt its position based on whether access is needed or protection is prioritized.
3Reliability
If a complex closing system is used to protect the septum, then the septum is better protected, but the device becomes difficult to operate with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end of the cover is extracted as a separate manipulative element that can be easily grasped and pulled by a single finger or thumb. This extracted portion serves as a convenient handle for opening the cover without requiring complex mechanisms, enabling healthcare workers to operate the system with one hand while maintaining protection.
4Reliability
If the cover is made secure to prevent contamination, then the septum is better protected, but the cover becomes difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the cover and cap is designed with asymmetric characteristics: the proximal end of the cover is firmly connected to the cap to maintain sealing and protection, while the distal end is designed to be easily movable and graspable. This asymmetric design allows the cover to remain securely attached for contamination prevention while enabling easy opening through pulling the distal end.
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 system effectively protects the septum from contamination, allows easy single-handed operation, and maintains sterility and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, even in challenging conditions, without requiring specific training for healthcare workers.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge allowing a planar rotation of the cover regarding the cap from a first position closing said access port to a second position giving access to the access port
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a closing system for a container to be hold with a single hand, said closing system comprising: -a cap (40) comprising a a skirt and a transversal wall (41) provided with an access port (44), -a cover (60) substantially parallel to said cap and comprising a guiding member intended to be used by a user to manipulate said cover, a hinge (46, 66) allowing a planar rotation of the cover (60) regarding the cap (40) from a first position closing said access port (44) to a second position giving access to the access port.