Inflation Syringe Display with Color-Coded Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inflation syringe systems used in PTCA procedures provide limited and complex feedback, requiring users to interpret numeric values, which can be time-consuming and less intuitive, especially when monitoring multiple pressurization values during balloon catheter inflation.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a progressive display with both numeric and non-numeric indicia that visually represent inflation pressurization values, allowing users to easily monitor current and changes in pressurization, and intuitively understand relationships between pressurization values without relying solely on numeric displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a numeric display is used to show inflation pressurization values, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming interpretation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinflation pressurization valueVSAvoidmonitoring pressurization
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color-coded indicators (red, yellow, green) to represent different ranges of inflation pressurization values. This allows practitioners to quickly assess pressurization levels at a glance without needing to interpret numeric values, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving ease of operation and reducing mental effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Loss of information

If multiple pressurization values are displayed simultaneously, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressurization dataVSAvoiddisplay system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display into multiple independent indicator elements, each representing a specific pressurization value or range. This segmentation allows multiple pressurization values to be displayed simultaneously in a simplified format, maintaining information completeness while reducing perceived complexity through modular, easily interpretable visual elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses color-coded indicators to represent different pressurization values, allowing multiple values to be displayed simultaneously in a visually intuitive manner. This approach maintains complete information representation while simplifying the display system by using color as a compact information carrier rather than requiring complex numeric displays for each value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If detailed numeric feedback is provided, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to interpretation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressurization valueVSAvoiddata interpretation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color-coded indicators that provide detailed pressurization information in an instantly recognizable format. This eliminates the need for practitioners to spend time interpreting numeric values, as the color indicators convey precise pressurization levels immediately, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating interpretation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP2288404B1System for inflation syringe with improved display
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC
  • EP2288404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2288404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2288404B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An inflation syringe having an improved display and method of displaying pressurization information. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing both numeric and non-numeric indications of an inflation pressurization associated with an inflation syringe. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a progressive non-numeric display is provided for displaying the pressurization of the inflation syringe along with numeric indicators of the pressurization. The progressive display includes a plurality of indicia corresponding to a range of inflation pressurization values. The indicia are actuated to indicate inflation pressurization and to allow the practitioner to not only easily monitor the general intensity of the pressurization but to monitor changes in the pressurization without needing to interpret numerical values. This permits the user to ascertain the relationship between the current pressurization, desired pressurization, and the rate of pressurization.