Gravity-Assisted Syringe Valve for Toxic Gas Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vial systems for reconstituting and administering medications, particularly chemotherapy preparations, face challenges in maintaining a closed or non-vented arrangement to prevent the release of toxic gases into the environment during reconstitution and administration, while ensuring proper fluid communication.
Innovation Solution
The integration of gravity-assisted valves in vial access caps and syringes that include collapsible and sliding seals, along with gas and fluid pathways, to maintain a non-vented or vented arrangement, preventing gas or fluid breaches and ensuring efficient fluid communication during reconstitution and administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a closed or non-vented arrangement is used during reconstitution and administration, then toxic gases are prevented from being released into the environment, but fluid communication and proper venting become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
A valve member acts as an intermediary component between the fluid pathway and the external environment. The valve selectively mediates fluid communication by opening to allow fluid flow during reconstitution and closing to prevent toxic gas release during administration, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining fluid communication and preventing harmful emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The gravity-assisted valve automatically opens and closes based on the orientation of the syringe and vial system during different operational phases. During reconstitution, the valve self-opens to allow fluid communication; during administration, it self-closes to prevent gas release, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent protective function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a gravity-assisted valve is integrated into the syringe and vial access cap, then toxic gas release is prevented and fluid communication is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical valve actuation system is replaced with a simple gravity-based mechanism. The valve member responds automatically to changes in system orientation during reconstitution and administration, using gravitational force rather than complex mechanical actuators, springs, or electronic controls to achieve the desired valve operation
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operation is controlled by changing the orientation parameter of the syringe and vial system rather than using complex mechanical controls. During reconstitution, the system is oriented to open the valve; during administration, the orientation change automatically closes the valve, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining effective function
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 system effectively prevents the release of toxic gases and maintains proper fluid communication, reducing the risk of contamination and enhancing operational efficiency in medication preparation and administration.
Implementation Method 1
The system incorporates gravity-assisted valves in vial access caps and syringes that include collapsible and sliding seals
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
Systems and apparatus for providing fluid communications are described. In an example, a vial access cap includes a connector having an opening for providing access to a fluid pathway; a canella extending into an interior of a vial, the canella having a fluid lumen operatively coupled to the fluid pathway and a gas lumen; and a gravity-assisted valve comprising a valve body defining an elongated valve cavity, a first port, a second port operatively coupled to the gas lumen, and a valve member movable between a sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the first port and a non-sealable end of the elongated valve cavity proximal to the second port. In other examples, a syringe including a gravity-assisted valve and a system including gravity-assisted valves are described.