Inflation Syringe Display Segmentation and Color Coding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inflation syringe systems in medical procedures, particularly for balloon catheter inflation during PTCA, rely on simplistic digital or analog displays that require users to expend mental effort to interpret and relate pressurization values, lacking intuitive representation of inflation pressures and requiring time-consuming toggling for additional information.
Innovation Solution
A modularized component assembly with a progressive illuminated non-numeric display and numeric indicators that provide clear, intuitive monitoring of inflation pressurization, allowing users to easily track changes and relationships between current, desired, and incremental pressurization values, along with a method for testing individual components to reduce waste and improve manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simplistic digital or analog display is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must expend mental effort to interpret and relate pressurization values
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple independent visual elements including numeric display segments, colored LED indicators (red, yellow, green), and graphical bar representations. Each segment conveys specific pressurization information independently, allowing users to quickly comprehend current, desired, and incremental pressurization values without complex interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded LED indicators and display elements that change color based on pressurization status. Green LEDs indicate normal operating ranges, yellow indicates intermediate states, and red indicates critical or excessive pressurization. This color-coding system provides intuitive visual feedback that eliminates the need for users to mentally interpret numeric values alone.
2Ease of operation
If additional information about pressurization relationships is provided, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple types of information presentation into a single integrated display interface. Numeric values, colored LED indicators, graphical bars, and progress indicators are combined in one unified display area. This allows users to view current pressurization, desired pressurization, incremental changes, and status warnings simultaneously without requiring multiple separate displays or complex toggling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is designed to perform multiple functions within a single interface: it displays numeric pressurization values, provides visual status indicators through colored LEDs, shows graphical progress bars, indicates target pressurization levels, and warns of critical conditions. This multi-functional display eliminates the need for separate devices or complex switching between different information modes.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional disposable inflation syringes are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved and sterilization is simplified, but the loss of substance increases as entire syringes must be discarded when a single component is defective
Solution Approach 1:
The inflation syringe is divided into separate modular components including the barrel, plunger, display assembly, and connector elements. Each component can be independently manufactured, tested, and replaced. This segmentation allows the reusable display and control components to be separated from disposable elements like the barrel and plunger, enabling replacement of only defective parts rather than the entire syringe system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a hybrid disposable-reusable system where certain components (barrel, plunger) are designed for single use and discarded, while other components (display assembly, control electronics, connector) are designed for reuse and recovery. This allows the valuable electronic and control components to be recovered and reused across multiple procedures, reducing waste while maintaining the simplicity of disposable construction for the fluid-contact elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inflation syringe having an improved display and modularized component assembly. 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. A modularized component assembly for an inflation syringe allowing independent components to be tested independent of the other components of the inflation syringe.