Infusion Cannula Coil Spacing for Uniform Extrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing process of infusion cannulas with internal coils is challenging due to the need for manual alignment and spacing of coils on a mandrel, which complicates large-scale production and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of spacers along the mandrel between coils to maintain alignment during assembly and extrusion, ensuring a uniform outer wall and sufficient material for a tapered distal end, facilitating efficient cannula formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment and spacing of coils on a mandrel is used, then coil positioning can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly for large-scale production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spacers as intermediary elements that are pre-attached to the mandrel at specific positions. These spacers serve as mediators between the mandrel and the coils, providing fixed reference points for coil placement. The spacers eliminate the need for manual measurement and positioning of each coil, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while significantly reducing process complexity and enabling automated large-scale production.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment and spacing of coils on a mandrel is used, then coil positioning can be achieved, but production efficiency decreases for large-scale manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching spacers to the mandrel before coil placement. This preliminary setup creates a standardized template that guides rapid and accurate coil positioning. The spacers are positioned in advance at precise intervals, allowing coils to be quickly attached without repeated measurement and alignment operations, thereby dramatically increasing production efficiency while maintaining consistent coil positioning precision across large batches.
3Ease of manufacture
If coils are placed on a mandrel without spacers, then the process appears simpler, but coil shifting occurs during assembly and extrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using spacers to preemptively counteract the tendency of coils to shift during assembly and extrusion. The spacers are positioned on the mandrel before coil placement and create physical barriers that prevent coil movement in the longitudinal direction. This preliminary protective measure ensures that coils remain at their intended positions throughout the manufacturing process, maintaining spacing consistency without adding complex assembly steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If spacers are used on the mandrel between coils, then coil spacing is maintained and outer wall uniformity is improved, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mandrel into distinct sections separated by spacers. Each spacer creates a defined segment between coils, ensuring uniform spacing and allowing the extrusion process to produce a consistent outer wall. The spacers act as modular units that can be independently positioned and removed, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the additional component. The segmented approach enables standardized production while maintaining high precision.
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
This method simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and ensures consistent quality by maintaining coil spacing and providing a uniform outer wall, enhancing the production efficiency of infusion cannulas.
Implementation Method 1
The assembly can be processed through an extrusion device to form an outer tube around the assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for manufacturing a plurality of cannulas configured to facilitate the delivery of medicament to a user having internal coils can include providing spacers along portions of a mandrel between the coils. Spacers prevent shifting of the coils both during assembly on the mandrel and during the extrusion process, which will ensure sufficient material extending beyond the coil for creation of the tapered distal end for the cannula. Use of spacers also provides a more uniform outer wall.