Luer Adapter for Retractable Needle Syringes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current syringes with glass barrels face issues such as fragile tips, leaks, and complex luer connections that are not adaptable to various barrel shapes, leading to manufacturing complexity and safety concerns, particularly with the risk of needlestick injuries and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A distal connector system that allows for easy mounting of a luer assembly on pre-formed resilient syringe barrels, including glass, with a simplified design featuring a barrel-engaging portion, a luer fitment, and a retractable needle assembly, which reduces manufacturing costs and enhances user safety by controlling needle retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass syringes are used to avoid degradation with pharmaceuticals, then chemical compatibility is improved, but the tips become fragile and may break during preparation or use
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe system is divided into separate components: a glass barrel for chemical compatibility and a disposable plastic adapter assembly containing the tip and luer connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while mitigating the weaknesses of the other materials.
Solution Approach 2:
A disposable plastic adapter assembly serves as an intermediary between the glass barrel and the needle/luer connection. This adapter protects the glass tip from breaking while maintaining chemical compatibility through proper material selection and seal design.
2Reliability
If complicated luer assemblies are adapted for particular syringe barrel shapes, then luer connection reliability is improved, but adaptability to different barrel configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is designed with universal features that allow it to connect to various syringe barrel types (glass and plastic, different shapes and sizes) while maintaining reliable luer connections. The adapter serves multiple functions: sealing, connecting, and protecting, making it compatible across different syringe configurations.
3Reliability
If pre-formed luer assemblies are manufactured into syringes, then luer connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The luer connection system is segmented into a reusable adapter component and a disposable needle assembly. This allows the complex luer connection mechanism to be manufactured separately and attached to syringes in a simplified process, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.
4Ease of operation
If spring decompression is used for needle retraction, then automatic needle retraction is achieved, but excessively forceful retraction can result in blood splattering
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction mechanism incorporates cushioning elements and controlled resistance features that prevent excessive force during needle retraction. This beforehand cushioning ensures the needle retracts automatically while minimizing the risk of blood splattering by controlling the retraction speed and force.
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 solution provides a user-friendly, safe, and cost-effective syringe with efficient fluid delivery, minimizing waste and preventing needlestick injuries through controlled needle retraction and adaptable luer connections, suitable for various syringe barrel shapes, including glass.
Implementation Method 1
spring decompression is relatively uncontrolled such that, in use, the excessively forceful needle retraction can result in blood splattering when air is forced from the syringe barrel as the needle retracts into the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
A connector mountable to a syringe barrel has a proximal barrel-engaging portion, a distal luer fitment portion, and a fluid aperture therethrough. The barrel-engaging portion of the connector includes an axial ledge configured to abut the axial distal edge of a glass syringe barrel. The connector facilitates mounting a luer assembly to the barrel. The luer assembly may be a tip cap having a complementary luer fitment for connection to the luer fitment portion of the connector. The luer assembly may be a luer needle assembly having a complementary luer fitment for connection to the luer fitment portion of the connector. The connector and syringe may further include an immobile, compressible needle seal. The needle seal is adjacent to or engageable with the barrel-engaging portion of the connector. The syringe may be configured with a plunger capable of engaging a retractable needle.