Filling Adapter Lock Mechanism for Drug Reservoir Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing drug solution administration devices face challenges in maintaining the sealing property of the seal member when the needle tube penetrates it for an extended period, leading to a decrease in airtightness, and the operation of penetrating the seal member is cumbersome for users.

Innovation Solution

A drug solution filling unit with a filling adapter that allows the needle tube to penetrate the seal member only when needed, utilizing a lock mechanism to easily change positions and prevent premature penetration, thus maintaining the sealing property and simplifying the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the needle tube is made to penetrate through the seal member of the drug solution reservoir portion, then the drug solution can be delivered from the drug solution container to the drug solution reservoir portion, but the sealing property (airtightness) of the seal member decreases over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug solution delivery efficiencyVSAvoidsealing property of seal member

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tube is pre-positioned adjacent to the seal member without penetrating it during storage and transport. The penetration action is performed only immediately before drug solution delivery, when the filling adapter is inserted into the drug solution reservoir portion. This preliminary positioning prevents premature penetration and maintains sealing property while ensuring timely penetration when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the drug solution reservoir portion and the needle tube are provided in an individually separated state, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operation of causing the needle tube to penetrate the seal member becomes very troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpenetration operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tube is integrated with the filling adapter to form a unified assembly. The filling adapter includes the needle tube, sealing member, and positioning structures as integrated components. This merging maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving operation ease, as the user only needs to insert the complete filling adapter into the drug solution reservoir portion rather than manually positioning and penetrating a separate needle tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the needle tube penetrates the seal member before the filling operation, then the fluid communication path is established in advance, but the sealing property degradation occurs before needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling operation speedVSAvoidsealing property maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filling adapter is pre-assembled with the needle tube positioned adjacent to but not penetrating the seal member. This preliminary preparation allows the adapter to be stored and transported without compromising the seal. The actual penetration occurs only when the adapter is inserted into the drug solution reservoir portion, ensuring the seal remains intact until the moment of fluid communication establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If a separate needle tube is used for penetration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user must handle the needle tube with fingers making the operation troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent quantityVSAvoiduser operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The needle tube is merged with the filling adapter to form an integrated assembly that is handled as a single unit. The filling adapter includes the needle tube, sealing member, and positioning structures as integrated components. This eliminates the need for users to manually handle separate needle tubes with their fingers, significantly improving operation convenience while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3542772B1Drug solution filling unit, drug solution filling set, and filling adapter

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 TERUMO KK

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AI summary

To provide a drug solution filling unit, a drug solution filling set, and a filling adapter capable of preventing a decrease in the sealing property of a seal member of a drug solution reservoir portion and easily performing an operation of causing a needle tube to penetrate the seal member of the drug solution reservoir portion. A drug solution filling unit 100 includes a drug solution reservoir instrument 200 having a drug solution reservoir portion 230 for storing a drug solution, a filling adapter 300 detachably mounted to the drug solution reservoir instrument, and a lock mechanism 360 for restricting the relative movement of the filling adapter with respect to the drug solution reservoir instrument. The lock mechanism is able to hold the relative position of an adapter main body portion 310 with respect to an exterior case 210 at a non-penetrating position at which a first needle tube does not penetrate a seal member, and a penetrating position at which the first needle tube penetrates the seal member, in a state in which the filling adapter has been mounted to the drug solution reservoir instrument.