Flat Indicia Syringe Barrel with Digital Dosage Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical syringes, especially low-dose ones, have small cylindrical barrels making it difficult to print and read volumetric indicia, and there is a risk of accidental needlestick injuries and medical errors due to unclear dosage visualization and lack of accurate records.
Innovation Solution
A medical syringe with a transparent or translucent barrel and a flat indicia display surface, combined with a portable imaging device like a cellular phone or digital tablet, captures and records digital images of the drawn dosage, and includes a needle safety feature to prevent accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional small cylindrical syringe barrels are used, then the syringe can be compact and suitable for low-dose administration, but the volumetric indicia become difficult to print and read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional cylindrical barrel surface to a flat indicia display surface (such as a digital screen or flat panel). This dimensional change allows volumetric markings to be displayed in a planar format rather than wrapped around a curve, making them easily readable while maintaining a compact syringe barrel size suitable for low-dose administration.
2Device complexity
If traditional syringes without digital recording are used, then the device remains simple, but there is no reliable visual record of the dosage administered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a digital imaging device (such as a camera or sensor) that captures an image of the volumetric scale and plunger position. This creates a digital copy or record of the administered dosage, preserving this information electronically without significantly complicating the overall syringe structure. The digital record can be stored, transmitted, or analyzed later for verification purposes.
3Illumination intensity
If clear transparent barrels are used, then the fluid is visible, but the volumetric scale and plunger position are difficult to read accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flat indicia display surface (such as a digital screen or optical indicator panel) as an intermediary between the clear transparent barrel and the user's observation. This intermediary layer displays the volumetric scale and plunger position information in a high-contrast, easily readable format, allowing users to accurately read dosage information without being limited by the transparency of the barrel itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A dosage verification system for use prior to administering an injection of a medicinal fluid drawn into a medical syringe, the system comprising a medical syringe having a barrel with an outwardly facing, flat indicia display surface, plunger having a plunger seal disposed inside and slidably engaging an inwardly facing wall of the barrel and a plunger handle projecting rearwardly from the barrel, and a hypodermic needle projecting forwardly from the barrel, all in combination with an imaging device configured to view and selectively capture, store or transmit a digital image of the plunger position relative to the barrel when a dose of the medicinal fluid is drawn into the fluid chamber of the barrel prior to an injection to verify and provide a record of the dosage drawn, and to alert a user prior to injection when an incorrect dosage is drawn into the fluid chamber of the syringe.