Epinephrine Syringe Markings for Rapid Standard Dose Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringes for administering epinephrine lack simplicity and accuracy in quickly identifying and delivering standard doses, especially for treating anaphylaxis, due to numerous graduations that complicate rapid dose selection.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design with limited dosage markings (0.15, 0.3, and 0.5 mL) tailored to standard epinephrine concentrations, featuring a translucent barrel and plunger for clear dosage indication, and a luer lock for secure attachment, packaged with a vial and antiseptic pads in a single-use kit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard syringes with numerous graduations are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in rapidly identifying correct dose levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential dosage markings (0.15 mL, 0.3 mL, and 0.5 mL) needed for epinephrine administration, removing unnecessary graduations. This selective extraction maintains measurement precision for standard doses while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating visual confusion from excessive markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe applies local quality by providing different marking densities in different regions: precise markings are provided only at the critical dosage levels (0.15, 0.3, 0.5 mL) where accuracy is most needed, while other regions have minimal or no markings. This resolves the contradiction by concentrating measurement precision where it matters most without compromising rapid identification.
2Ease of operation
If autoinjectors are used to deliver epinephrine, then ease of operation is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable syringe design that is inexpensive to manufacture and use. The syringe is intended for single use only, eliminating the need for expensive reusable autoinjectors. This approach maintains ease of operation through simple draw-and-inject functionality while dramatically reducing cost by using a disposable rather than reusable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe design replicates the essential functionality of autoinjectors (delivering predetermined doses) using a simpler, cheaper platform. By copying only the critical dose-delivery function without the complex mechanical mechanisms of autoinjectors, the patent achieves comparable ease of operation at a fraction of the cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If syringes with many graduated markings are used, then adaptability is improved for different dosages, but device complexity increases making rapid administration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the three most common epinephrine dosage levels (0.15 mL, 0.3 mL, 0.5 mL) and provides markings exclusively for these levels. This selective extraction maintains adaptability for the vast majority of clinical situations while reducing device complexity by eliminating unnecessary markings that contribute to visual clutter and administration delays.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a syringe and medical kit, which allow for doses of epinephrine of 0.15 mg or 0.15 mL, 0.3 mg or 0.3 mL, and 0.5 mg or 0.5 mL, the most commonly prescribed doses which are utilized today in treating anaphylaxis or other allergic reactions. Currently, existing syringes may include many markings of ten or more dosages. Although these prior art syringes are useful, it is difficult to use them for a patient who must quickly identify a correct dose level among many other marks. The above problem can be addressed by a syringe design which has only a few dosage markings, which correspond to commonly used standard dosages for children and adults. When used with a standard concentration of 1:1000 epinephrine solution, such a device can rapidly provide a known quantity of medicine to a patient who is in urgent need of it.