Dual Barrel Syringe with Visual Test Indicator for Intra-Articular Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Administering intra-articular injections is a complex procedure due to the precise positioning required, often resulting in ineffective delivery of therapeutics despite the use of medical imaging tools, leading to suboptimal pain relief and treatment outcomes for patients with joint-related pain.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design featuring a dual-barrel system with a test chamber and an injectable fluid chamber, a communal hub with a two-way valve, and a test indicator that allows for precise placement of the needle by visually confirming the presence of bodily fluids, enabling accurate positioning and administration of therapeutics within the joint space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If medical imaging tools are used to guide intra-articular injections, then needle placement accuracy is improved, but procedure complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the imaging dependency from the injection procedure by using a syringe design with integrated visual indicators (color-coded plunger, transparent barrel sections) that provide direct visual feedback about needle placement and joint space entry, eliminating the need for complex external imaging equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe performs self-verification of correct placement through its own visual indicators (plunger position, fluid return observation) without requiring external imaging systems, making the procedure self-sufficient and simpler
2Measurement precision
If medical imaging tools are used to guide intra-articular injections, then needle placement accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is pre-designed with visual indicators (color-coded plunger, transparent sections) that provide immediate feedback upon needle insertion, eliminating the time required for imaging setup and interpretation while maintaining placement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The injection system performs real-time self-verification through visual cues (plunger movement, fluid return) without requiring external imaging equipment, significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining accuracy
3Manufacturing precision
If precise positioning is required for intra-articular injections, then therapeutic delivery accuracy is improved, but procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is color-coded (e.g., green for correct placement, red for incorrect) to provide immediate visual feedback about needle positioning and joint space entry, simplifying the complex task of precise positioning through intuitive color signals
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe barrel is divided into transparent and opaque sections, allowing visual observation of fluid return in the transparent section while maintaining structural integrity and sterility in the opaque section, facilitating precise positioning through segmented visual feedback
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 syringe enables precise and effective administration of intra-articular injections by confirming correct needle placement through visual indicators, improving the accuracy and efficacy of therapeutic delivery to the joint space, thereby enhancing pain relief and treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The test indicator may be responsive to at least one characteristic of a bodily fluid... the test indicator may be visible from an exterior of the first barrel
Data Source
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AI summary
A syringe is provided having a hub with an orifice, first and second barrels having an interior surface to form respective lumens, a valve, and a test indicator. The first and second barrels slideably receive respective first and second plungers for movement therein. The valve is operable to provide a fluidly communicative path between the orifice of the hub and the first and second barrel lumens. The test indicator is responsive to at least one characteristic of a bodily fluid, the test indicator positioned to be exposed to any bodily fluid drawn into the first barrel lumen and visible from an exterior of the first barrel.