Frangible Filter Needle for Contamination-Free Drug Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtering devices for administering drugs from glass ampoules are cumbersome, require multiple steps, increase bio-hazard risk, and generate excessive waste due to separate filtering and administration needles, leading to contamination risks and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A single-in-line filter needle with a frangible deformation allows for simultaneous aspiration and filtration of liquids, followed by a fresh piercing point formation for uncontaminated dispensing, eliminating the need for external attachments and reducing needle handling hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate filtering needle and administration needle are used, then filtration function is achieved, but device complexity and bio-hazard risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtering needle and administration needle into a single integrated device. The needle assembly includes a filter positioned within the needle shaft, allowing the same needle to both filter debris from the ampoule and administer the medication, thereby reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for separate needles while maintaining reliable filtration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The single needle assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a filtering device during aspiration and an administration device during injection. The filter is integrated into the needle shaft, enabling the needle to universally handle both filtration and drug delivery tasks without requiring separate specialized needles.
2Reliability
If two separate needles are used, then filtration is achieved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the filtering and administration functions into a single needle assembly, the patent eliminates the time required to remove one needle and attach another. The integrated design allows continuous operation from aspiration through injection without needle changes, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining effective filtration.
3Reliability
If multiple needles are used, then filtration function is provided, but bio-hazard waste volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces bio-hazard waste by combining multiple needle functions into a single disposable needle assembly. Instead of discarding two separate needles (one filtered, one clean), the integrated design allows one needle to perform both functions, halving the needle waste volume while maintaining the filtration function through the integrated filter.
4Reliability
If needle changing is required, then contamination risk is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated needle assembly eliminates the need for needle changing operations, simplifying the procedure to a single continuous operation. The filter remains protected within the sealed needle assembly throughout use, preventing contamination while eliminating the complex steps of removing and replacing needles, thereby improving ease of operation without compromising contamination protection.
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 solution enables a safer, cost-effective, and efficient single-step drug administration process by filtering debris in a single device, reducing bio-hazard risks and waste volume while ensuring contamination-free drug delivery.
Implementation Method 1
When the shaft is deformed lateral forces applied on opposite sides of the deformation, stress is concentrated thereat causing the shaft to fail along the deformation
Implementation Method 2
the shaft to fail along the deformation, whereby the distal portion of the shaft with the filter is separated from the remainder of the shaft
Implementation Method 3
A filter is positioned in the passageway proximate to the first piercing point. The needle is used to aspirate liquids from a potentially debris contaminated source liquid. Such contamination is filtered by the filter as the liquid is aspirated into the syringe
Data Source
AI summary
A single in-line filter hollow needle has an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end with a pointed tip and a central opening between the ends for communicating fluids therethrough. The proximal end is secured to a luer lock for removable connection to a syringe. A filter is located in the central opening proximate to the tip. The outer wall of the needle has a frangible deformation proximate to the filter and remote from the end of the needle whereby the needle may be broken to expose a fresh point after fluid is aspirated through the needle to the syringe is filtered.