Integrated Rotating Syringe Cap for Sterile Tip Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prefilled syringes face challenges in maintaining the sterility of the distal tip during use due to difficult tip cap removal, which can lead to contamination risks and complications in connecting with vascular access devices.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design with an integrated cap that rotates between closed and open positions, allowing single-handed operation to maintain sterility and facilitate connection to vascular access devices without direct contact with the distal tip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip cap is tightly affixed to the distal tip of the syringe barrel to maintain a good seal, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as the tip cap becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two functional parts: a sealing portion that maintains the seal with the distal tip, and a rotation ring that provides a grip interface for removal. This segmentation allows the sealing surface to remain tightly engaged while providing a separate mechanism for easy removal through rotational motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap transitions from a static tightly-affixed state to a dynamically removable state through rotational motion. The rotation ring enables the user to apply torque to overcome the tight seal, and the cap can be rotated to an open position where the sealing portion disengages from the distal tip.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tip cap is tightly affixed to prevent leakage and contamination, then the protection of medical fluid is improved, but the force required to remove the tip cap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal mechanism transitions from linear pulling force to rotational torque. The rotation ring provides a larger circumferential grip surface, allowing the user to apply rotational force that is more effective at overcoming the tight seal than direct axial pulling force.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation ring provides a curved circumferential surface that conforms to the cylindrical shape of the syringe barrel. This curved geometry distributes the gripping force evenly around the cap, enabling effective torque application with minimal finger strength.
3Ease of operation
If the practitioner's fingers are in close proximity to the distal tip while removing the tip cap, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation ring acts as an intermediary grip surface between the practitioner's fingers and the cap. This intermediate structure allows the user to grasp and rotate the cap without fingers needing to be in close proximity to the distal tip, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If the syringe is autoclaved after filling and capping to ensure sterility, then the reliability of sterile containment is improved, but the difficulty of removing the tip cap increases due to interactions between the cap and syringe barrel
Solution Approach 1:
The cap structure separates the sealing function from the removal function. The sealing portion can be tightly affixed to maintain sterile containment through autoclaving, while the rotation ring provides a dedicated interface for removal that is not compromised by the autoclaving process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap allows for dynamic removal through rotation even after autoclaving has created strong bonds between components. The rotational mechanism enables the user to overcome the strengthened connection without requiring excessive force or risking contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe includes a barrel having a proximal end. a distal end including a distal opening. and a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The syringe further includes a plunger positioned in the barrel for expelling fluid from the barrel through the distal opening and a cap connected to the distal end of the barrel including a connector defining a flow channel through the cap. The cap is movable relative to the barrel between a first position, where fluid flow through the distal opening of the barrel to the flow channel of the connector is prevented. and a second position, where fluid flow through the distal opening of the barrel to the flow channel of the connector can occur.