Controlled Volume Dropper With Segmented Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical dropper devices for administering small, controlled volumes of medical products are often bulky, complex to operate, and difficult to handle, with high production costs and misalignment issues, making them challenging to use with one hand and assemble correctly.
Innovation Solution
A dropper device featuring a hollow cylindrical body with a slidably mobile rod of varying diameters, a sealing bush, and beveled flat faces in the Luer lock zone, allowing for easy grip and operation with three fingers, and a mechanical stop to control the volume of fluid administered, facilitating easy assembly and low production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional dropper devices are used to administer small controlled volumes, then the volume control is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and complex to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is divided into two portions with different diameters, creating distinct functional zones. The first portion with larger diameter provides a grip area for finger operation, while the second portion with smaller diameter passes through the sealing bush to enable precise plunger movement. This segmentation allows the device to be operated with three fingers while maintaining accurate volume control.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod with varying diameters is nested within the hollow cylindrical body, with the smaller diameter portion passing through the sealing bush. This nested configuration allows the plunger mechanism to be compact while maintaining precise control over the administered volume, eliminating the need for bulky external control mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If complex mechanical systems are used for volume control, then volume precision is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex dual-chamber and multi-component systems found in conventional droppers are extracted and replaced with a simple single-chamber design. The volume control function is achieved through the geometric design of the rod and sealing bush interface rather than through complex mechanical linkages, reducing part count and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod is designed with two different diameter portions, creating a geometric parameter change that provides both operational grip and precise sealing. This parameter variation in the rod geometry enables volume control without requiring complex mechanical systems, multiple seals, or adjustable components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are assembled to achieve volume control, then functionality is improved, but assembly difficulty and misalignment risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rod combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as the plunger, the sealing element interface, and the operational grip. The varying diameter design integrates the sealing surface and the grip area into one piece, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod with two diameter portions serves multiple purposes: the larger diameter portion provides finger grip and mechanical advantage for operation, while the smaller diameter portion interfaces with the sealing bush to control fluid flow. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the system.
4Ease of manufacture
If the Luer lock zone has a cylindrical surface, then manufacturing is simple, but grip for screwing operation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The Luer lock zone transitions from a symmetric cylindrical surface to an asymmetric polygonal shape with beveled flat faces. This asymmetric geometry provides natural finger grip surfaces for the screwing operation while maintaining compatibility with standard Luer lock adapters, improving ease of operation without significantly complicating manufacturing.
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 device enables easy and safe administration of small medical doses, with low manufacturing and assembly costs, and is designed for one-handed use, ensuring precise and reliable operation over time, reducing the risk of misalignment and improving user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a rod (20), slidably mobile inside the hollow cylindrical body (10) and provided with a head (21) on which a rubber washer (40) is fixed, which washer, during sliding of the rod, is in contact with the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical body (10)
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device (100) for the instillation of medical products in droplet form is described, said device comprising a hollow cylindrical body (10) and a rod (20) slidably mobile inside the hollow cylindrical body (10) and provided with a head (21) on which a rubber washer (40) is fixed, which washer, during the sliding of the rod (20), is in contact with an inner surface of the hollow cylindrical body (10). The rod (20) is formed as two portions (22, 24) of different diameter and the device (100) further comprises a sealing bush (30) between the hollow cylindrical body (10) and the rod (20), wherein there is provided a stop (32) which prevents the passage of the portion (22) with a larger circular section of the rod (20).