Low Waste Syringe with Interchangeable Needle Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional syringes used for injecting neurotoxins, such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin, face issues with waste, accuracy, and safety due to large volumes, non-standard dilution, and the inability to accurately dispense small neurotoxin doses, leading to significant neurotoxin loss and potential patient harm.

Innovation Solution

A low-waste syringe with an interchangeable needle assembly, featuring a clear polymeric body with marked hatch marks for concentration and volume indication, a frusto-conical syringe tip for secure needle attachment, and a Luer-lock mechanism to minimize dead spaces and prevent neurotoxin waste, allowing for precise unit dosing and easy needle changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional syringes are used for neurotoxin injection, then the syringe can accommodate large volumes of fluid, but the dead space in the syringe tip and needle hub causes significant neurotoxin waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesyringe volume capacityVSAvoidneurotoxin waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the needle assembly from the syringe body as a separate, removable component. This allows the needle to be detached and replaced, enabling the syringe to be used with different needle sizes and lengths optimized for specific injection requirements, thereby minimizing dead space and neurotoxin waste while maintaining the ability to accommodate various fluid volumes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The syringe employs a dynamic needle assembly that can be selectively attached and detached from the syringe body. This dynamic configuration allows optimization of the needle-syringe interface for minimal dead space, while the syringe body itself maintains its volume capacity for holding the neurotoxin solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional syringes are used for neurotoxin injection, then the syringe can be used with standard needles, but the needle may become dislodged during injection causing patient harm and neurotoxin waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle compatibilityVSAvoidneedle retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The injection system is segmented into distinct components: the syringe body and the needle assembly. The needle assembly includes a hub that interfaces with the syringe tip through a standardized connection mechanism (such as a Luer lock), providing both versatility in needle selection and reliable retention during injection. This segmentation allows the needle to be securely attached yet easily replaced if needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle hub and syringe tip are merged through a secure mechanical connection (Luer lock mechanism) that combines versatility and reliability. The connection allows for easy attachment and detachment while ensuring the needle remains firmly in place during injection, preventing dislodgment and ensuring patient safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional syringes are used for neurotoxin injection, then the syringe can accommodate various dilution volumes, but the lack of unit markings makes accurate dosing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedilution flexibilityVSAvoiddosing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The syringe incorporates color-coded markings or color-coded needle hubs that correspond to specific unit measurements. This visual coding system allows practitioners to quickly and accurately select the appropriate needle and verify the correct dosing volume, enhancing measurement precision while maintaining flexibility in dilution volumes. The color changes provide an intuitive visual guide for accurate neurotoxin administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Productivity

If conventional syringes are used for neurotoxin injection, then the syringe can be refilled from vials, but the process is time-consuming and increases contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The syringe is designed to be pre-filled with the appropriate volume of neurotoxin solution at the manufacturer or compounding facility. This preliminary action eliminates the need for practitioners to manually refill syringes from vials during patient treatment, thereby increasing injection efficiency and minimizing the time practitioners spend handling open vials and syringes, which reduces the risk of contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240245864A1Low waste syringe and needle assemblage

Publication Date: 2024.07.25 BROS DAVID B

AI summary

A syringe for injecting a fluid into a patient is provided. A syringe tip defining a substantially frusto-conical interior void extends from an end wall of the syringe. A hub is configured so that the hub can be selectively and securedly attached to the syringe. A frusto-conical member of the hub matingly engages the frusto-conical void of the syringe tip when the hub is secured to the syringe, forming a fluid-tight seal. A plunger positioned in the fluid chamber can be depressed by a user, and a piston cap attached to the plunger urges fluid in the chamber out of the chamber through the syringe tip