Mixing Vial With Dislodgeable Plug for Anesthetic Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for buffering anesthetic solutions require two vials, leading to wastage, human error, and increased costs, while also being cumbersome and time-consuming, which hinders widespread adoption in medical and dental practices.
Innovation Solution
A mixing vial with a unitary hollow chambered stopper and a dislodgeable plug allows for in situ mixing of anesthetic and buffering solutions within a single vial, eliminating headspace during storage and minimizing operator error, using a simpler design that reduces manufacturing complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate vials are used for anesthetic and buffering solutions, then proper buffering can be achieved, but waste increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate vials (anesthetic solution and buffering solution) into a single integrated vial system. The mixing vial contains both the anesthetic solution in a first chamber and the buffering solution in a second chamber, eliminating the need for separate vials and reducing waste while maintaining proper buffering effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing vial is segmented into multiple chambers (first chamber for anesthetic solution, second chamber for buffering solution) separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows the solutions to be stored separately until mixing is required, preventing premature mixing and waste while enabling proper buffering when needed.
2Reliability
If two separate vials are used for anesthetic and buffering solutions, then proper buffering can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate vial systems into one integrated mixing vial that contains both the anesthetic solution and buffering solution. This reduces the number of components, simplifies the overall device, and decreases operational complexity while maintaining the ability to perform proper buffering.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If headspace is eliminated during storage, then oxidative degradation is prevented, but agitation capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing vial is divided into multiple chambers separated by a partition wall, creating separate spaces for anesthetic solution and buffering solution. This segmentation eliminates headspace in each chamber, preventing oxidative degradation, while still allowing for effective mixing and agitation when the chambers are combined through plug dislodgement.
4Loss of substance
If a single vial system is used, then waste is reduced and simplicity is improved, but mixing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing vial uses a partition wall to separate the anesthetic solution and buffering solution into distinct chambers, preventing premature mixing. The plug mechanism provides a reliable, controlled way to mix the solutions only when needed, ensuring mixing accuracy and reliability while reducing waste compared to separate vial systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the mixing process. When the plug is dislodged, it allows the buffered solution to mix with the anesthetic solution in a controlled manner, ensuring reliable and accurate mixing while maintaining the benefits of a single vial system.
5Adaptability or versatility
If manual mixing protocol is used, then flexibility is maintained, but human error increases and time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing vial is designed to facilitate self-service mixing. The plug mechanism is automatically dislodged when the syringe plunger is pushed, causing the buffered solution to mix with the anesthetic solution automatically. This eliminates the need for manual mixing steps, reduces human error, and saves time while maintaining protocol flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a mixing vial system. The system includes a hypodermic syringe and a mixing vial. The mixing vial includes a vessel, a stopper, and a dislodgeable plug. The vessel includes an open end, a closed end, and a side wall. A hollow interior chamber is defined by the side wall and the closed end. The open end defines a neck. The stopper includes an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a stopper side wall. The closed distal end and the stopper side wall define a hollow interior chamber. The stopper is positioned in a sealing relationship within the neck. The dislodgeable plug is positioned in and sealing the open proximal end of the stopper. The closed distal end of the stopper is penetrable by a needle of the hypodermic syringe to dislodge the dislodgeable plug to effect mixing of contents of the stopper and the vessel.