Foldable Finger Flange for Syringe Usability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional syringe finger flanges are inadequate in size and ergonomics, leading to increased packaging footprint and costs due to larger accessory sizes, which affect usability and control but result in higher shipping, storage, and consumer costs.
Innovation Solution
A foldable finger flange accessory for syringes with a pivotable design that can be mounted removably, allowing it to change between a compact non-use position for shipping and a larger use position for improved usability, featuring a flange member that pivots between these configurations via a living hinge or similar attachment mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a larger finger flange accessory is manufactured to improve usability and control, then usability and leverage are improved, but the packaging footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The finger flange is designed with a pivotable flange member that can dynamically change its configuration between a compact non-use position during shipping and an extended use position during operation. This dynamic structure allows the same component to have different spatial footprints depending on whether it is being transported or used, directly resolving the contradiction between usability and packaging footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger flange is divided into separate components including a flange member and an attachment member that can move relative to each other. The flange member can pivot independently from the attachment member, allowing the flange to be folded back or positioned compactly during shipping while extending fully during use. This segmentation enables the component to optimize its spatial footprint in different states.
2Ease of operation
If a larger finger flange accessory is manufactured to improve leverage and control, then leverage and control are improved, but shipping and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable flange member allows the accessory to transition between a compact configuration for shipping (reducing storage space requirements and shipping costs) and an extended configuration for use (providing improved leverage and control). This dynamic capability eliminates the need to choose between providing adequate control features and minimizing shipping expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange member can be folded back or positioned within the confines of the syringe barrel during shipping, effectively nesting the accessory within the existing syringe packaging. This nesting approach minimizes the overall packaging footprint without requiring separate shipping spaces for the finger flange accessory.
3Area of stationary object
If a foldable flange member is used to reduce packaging footprint, then shipping costs are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange member is constructed as a flexible component that can bend and pivot without requiring complex mechanical joints or multiple separate parts. The flexibility is achieved through the material properties and cross-sectional geometry of the flange member itself, allowing it to fold back compactly while maintaining structural integrity. This approach reduces complexity compared to using rigid components with complex hinge mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A conventional syringe includes a syringe barrel having a syringe barrel flange laterally extending from an open proximal end of the syringe barrel and a syringe plunger for advancement into the syringe barrel through the open proximal end. A foldable finger flange for such a syringe comprises an attachment member configured to be removably mounted onto the syringe barrel flange, and a flange member pivotably attached to the attachment member. At least a portion of the flange member is pivotable between a use position, wherein said portion of the flange member extends generally perpendicular to the syringe barrel, thereby providing a flange having a greater extent than the syringe barrel flange, and a non-use position, wherein said portion of the flange member does not extend generally perpendicular to the syringe barrel.