Filter Needle Hub with PTFE Membrane for Ophthalmic Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter needles for medical injection equipment face challenges in preventing particulate contamination, balancing fluid flow and pressure loss, and maintaining cost-effectiveness, especially for ophthalmic applications where contamination can cause significant harm.
Innovation Solution
A filter needle design featuring a hub with a channel and a filter unit comprising a sheet of woven filter material fixated to surrounding material, which protrudes through the filter material for a firm connection, minimizing leakage and rupture, and using a tubular sleeve with thermoplastic elastomer for efficient and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter device is used to prevent particulate contamination, then patient safety is improved, but pressure loss and flow rate are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous PTFE membrane as the filter material, which allows fluid to pass through while blocking particles. The porous structure provides adequate filtration capability without causing excessive pressure loss, resolving the contradiction between patient safety and pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the pore size and thickness parameters of the PTFE membrane to achieve the right balance between filtration efficiency and pressure drop. By carefully selecting these parameters, the filter provides sufficient particle removal while maintaining acceptable flow characteristics.
2Reliability
If a filter device is used to prevent particulate contamination, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the filter membrane directly into the needle hub structure, merging the filtration function with the existing needle assembly. This integration approach provides comprehensive particle protection while avoiding the added complexity of separate filter components and assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The PTFE membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a filter for particle removal, provides structural support within the needle hub, and maintains fluid flow pathways. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while ensuring patient safety.
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable injection equipment is used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but environmental impact is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable needle hub with an integrated PTFE membrane filter, designed for single-use applications. This approach ensures sterility and patient safety while keeping manufacturing costs low through efficient production of the integrated filter structure, making the disposable nature cost-effective.
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 design effectively filters particulates while minimizing pressure loss and ensuring a reliable connection, making it suitable for ophthalmic applications and cost-effective mass production, thus reducing the risk of contamination and improving user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The sheet of filter material is arranged to filter a solution passing through the channel
Implementation Method 2
wherein the sheet of filter material is fixated to surrounding material by allowing material of the hub to flow, in liquid form, through the filter material, such that, after solidification, the material of the hub protrudes through the filter material
Data Source
AI summary
Filter needle comprising a hub having a proximal end arranged for removable connection to a syringe body, and having a distal end in which a needle is mounted, the hub provided with a channel between the proximal end and the distal end, for when the syringe body is connected, establishing a fluid connection between the syringe body and the needle, wherein a filter unit is mounted in the channel of the hub.