Injection Safety System with Automatic Identifier Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drug administration errors occur due to incorrect labeling or selection of syringes, leading to patients being accidentally injected with the wrong substance, as syringes are often pre-loaded and set aside for later use without clear identification of the contained drug.
Innovation Solution
An injection safety system that includes a vial with a removable identifier, such as a colored cap, which automatically transfers to the syringe when the needle is inserted, ensuring the syringe is labeled correctly with the substance's identity, thereby preventing incorrect drug administration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If syringes are pre-loaded with drugs and set aside for later use, then productivity is improved, but the risk of drug administration errors increases due to lack of clear identification
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier is pre-attached to the syringe during the pre-loading process, before the syringe is set aside for later use. This ensures that the identification information is already in place and visible when the syringe is retrieved, eliminating the risk of misidentification while maintaining the productivity benefits of pre-loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The identifier acts as an intermediary element that bridges the vial and syringe, providing a visual and physical link that confirms the correct drug has been transferred. This intermediary component ensures reliable identification without interfering with the pre-loading workflow.
2Reliability
If manual labeling of syringes is performed, then drug identification accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier automatically transfers from the vial to the syringe through the mechanical action of drawing up the drug, without requiring separate manual labeling steps. The system uses the existing drawing motion to simultaneously transfer both the drug and the identifier, eliminating wasted time while maintaining accurate identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The identifier transfer process is merged with the drug transfer process. Both operations occur simultaneously during the syringe filling action, combining two previously separate steps (drawing drug and attaching label) into one efficient motion that reduces time loss while ensuring accurate identification.
3Reliability
If identifiers are permanently attached to vials, then drug identification is maintained, but transfer to syringe becomes difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The identifier is designed with dynamic attachment characteristics - firmly secured to the vial during storage and transport, but capable of controlled release during the drawing process. This dynamic behavior allows the identifier to remain reliable until needed, then transfer easily to the syringe without manual intervention or complex manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The identifier is pre-positioned on the vial in a location and orientation that facilitates automatic transfer during the drawing process. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the syringe is inserted to draw the drug, the identifier is already in the correct position to transfer to the syringe, making the process easy and error-free.
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 significantly reduces the risk of patients being injected with the wrong drug by ensuring that the syringe is accurately labeled with the substance's identity, minimizing errors during drug administration.
Implementation Method 1
the force and area of the fitting being pushed into the aperture may cause a separation of a perforated material (e.g. metal breakable securing ring), whose purpose is to secure the cap to the vial until it is broken
Implementation Method 2
When the fitting is received in the annular mount, the outer surface of the fitting may frictionally engage the annular mount to secure the cap to the fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A kit of parts for an injection safety system comprises a vial comprising a container for storing an injectable substance, and an identifier removably secured to the container. The identifier comprises an indicium of the substance, and an engagement portion. The kit of parts further comprises a syringe for drawing the substance from the vial. The syringe comprises a mating engagement portion. The mating engagement portion is mateable with the engagement portion to secure the identifier to the syringe and transfer the identifier from the vial to the syringe.