Integrated Actuator and Filter for Epidural Drug Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug delivery systems for epidural anesthesia are prone to medication errors due to misconnection of anesthesia drugs with intravenous lines, leading to potential permanent damage to patients, as previous solutions relying on labels, color codes, and additional components are often ignored or cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A drug delivery system with an integrated actuator assembly and filter, where the actuator assembly is permanently attached to a conduit, featuring a projection that opens one-way valves in containers, preventing accidental connections and ensuring correct medication delivery by integrating the filter and actuator assembly, reducing the risk of misconnection and infection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If labels or color codes are used to differentiate route-accessing devices and medication containers, then medication error prevention is improved, but clinicians tend to ignore these labels and color codes, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator assembly and filter into a single integrated unit that is permanently attached, eliminating the need for separate components that require labeling or color-coding. This merging creates a unified system where the actuator can only be attached to the correct container type, providing physical prevention of wrong-route errors without relying on clinician attention to labels or color codes.
2Reliability
If additional components are added to reduce medication errors, then safety is improved, but the components become cumbersome for attachment and require specialized connections
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly and filter are merged into a single integrated component unit. The actuator assembly includes a hub with valve mechanism and a projection for engaging the container closure, while the filter is permanently attached to the actuator assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate filters and actuators, reducing the number of components and attachment steps while maintaining safety functions.
3Reliability
If additional components are added to reduce medication errors, then safety is improved, but specialized syringe and catheter connections are required, limiting compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The hub of the actuator assembly is designed with a universal connection interface that can accommodate different container types and delivery systems. The hub includes a valve mechanism and projection that can engage with various container closures, allowing the same actuator assembly to work with different syringe types, IV bags, and epidural/bolus containers without requiring specialized connections for each type.
4Reliability
If separate filters and actuators are used, then safety functions are provided, but the attachment process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is permanently attached to the actuator assembly, creating a single integrated unit that eliminates the need for separate attachment of filters and actuators. The integrated design ensures that the filter is always in place with the actuator, preventing errors where filters might be omitted or incorrectly attached, while simplifying the overall attachment process to a single step.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Drug delivery systems are provided that include an actuator assembly (200) permanently attached to a filter (300) for connection of a container containing medications such as epidural anesthesia, to a delivery site. In one or more embodiments, the actuator assembly includes a projection with an opening extending from a distal end of the actuator assembly in a proximal direction and the filter includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the opening. The filter includes a housing (310) including two plates joined together or a cylindrical body defining a cavity containing filter materials. A conduit may be attached to the outlet of the filter to allow connection of the drug delivery systems described to a delivery site, such as a catheter. Methods of administering a medication to a delivery site are also provided.