Handheld Vacuum Stoppering Device for Medical Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum stoppering devices for medical containers are not sterilizable, cumbersome, and require clean room conditions, limiting their mobility and ease of use, especially in clinical trials.

Innovation Solution

A portable, handheld device with a variable pressure chamber connected to a vacuum pump, featuring a stopper holder system and container holder system, allowing for quick and simple vacuum stoppering of medical containers outside clean rooms, with components designed for sterilization and easy transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional vacuum stoppering devices are used, then stoppering function is achieved, but the devices are not sterilizable and require clean room conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization capabilityVSAvoidoperational environment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components including a sterilizable stoppering mechanism and a non-sterile support structure. The stoppering mechanism can be detached and sterilized independently, allowing the device to function in non-clean room environments while maintaining sterilization capability for critical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs disposable components such as sterile barriers and single-use stoppering elements that can be discarded after use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization of entire devices while ensuring sterility where required, enabling operation outside clean rooms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If traditional vacuum stoppering devices are used, then stoppering function is achieved, but the devices are cumbersome and difficult to transport

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into lightweight modular components that can be assembled at the point of use. Critical heavy components are minimized or eliminated, and the structure uses lightweight materials while maintaining structural integrity for vacuum stoppering operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum generation function is extracted from a large stationary vacuum pump and replaced with a compact portable vacuum source integrated into the device. This dramatically reduces the weight and size of the overall system while maintaining vacuum stoppering capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional vacuum stoppering devices are used, then stoppering function is achieved, but they require clean room conditions and lack mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates sterile and non-sterile functions into distinct modules. The stoppering mechanism operates independently with its own sterile barrier, while the support structure and vacuum system can operate in non-clean room environments, reducing overall system complexity and increasing environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates self-sterilization features through disposable sterile barriers and self-contained sterile fields that eliminate the need for external clean room infrastructure. The system serves its own sterilization needs without requiring complex external support systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables efficient, sterilizable, and flexible vacuum stoppering of medical containers, reducing operational constraints and improving usability in various environments, including clinical trials.

Implementation Method 1

a variable pressure chamber configured to be connected to a vacuum pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The breaking of the vacuum inside the variable pressure chamber then causes the stopper to move further down the medical container until equilibrium of pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11939099B2Device for vacuum stoppering a medical container

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE SAS

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for vacuum stoppering a medical container. The device includes a main body defining an internal volume that has a variable pressure chamber configured to be connected to a vacuum pump. A stopper holder system is arranged in communication with the variable pressure chamber and is configured to receive and hold a stopper aligned with the direction of travel of a piston rod. A piston rod is moveable inside the internal volume of the main body along a longitudinal axis between a proximal rest position and a distal operative position wherein the piston rod pushes the stopper into the medical container. A container holder system provided in the main body, is arranged distally relative to the stopper holder system and in communication with the variable pressure chamber.