Monoblock Elastomeric Pre-filled Container for Sterile Medical Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pre-filled containers for medical substances are costly due to multiple parts requiring assembly, struggle with consistent droplet formation during use, and lack an affordable, sterile system that keeps the needle and product separate during shipping and storage, while also preventing reuse.
Innovation Solution
A pre-filled container with a squeezable activation compartment and a dispensing compartment connected by a movable activator element, which isolates the contents until activation, ensuring accurate and sterile dispensing, and featuring a design that prevents reuse by locking the activator element in an open position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-filled containers use multiple parts requiring assembly with metal components, then the isolation and sterility of substances are ensured, but the manufacturing cost considerably increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (container body, activator, sealing elements, metal components) into an integrated monoblock structure made of elastomeric material. The container body and activator are formed as a single piece through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate metal components and complex assembly processes while maintaining the hermetic sealing and isolation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural integrity, hermetic sealing, isolating barriers, and the activating mechanism. The monoblock design integrates the container body, activator element, sealing elements, and dispensing control into a single multi-functional component that replaces multiple specialized parts.
2Reliability
If pre-filled containers use multiple parts requiring assembly, then the sterility and isolation are ensured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete parts into a single monoblock elastomeric structure. The container body, activator, sealing elements, and dispensing mechanism are all integrated into one piece, reducing the number of parts from multiple components to a single unit while maintaining sterility through the elastomeric material's inherent properties and molded-in sealing features.
3Reliability
If the container keeps needle and product separate during shipping, then sterility is maintained, but the mechanism becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is nested within the elastomeric container body in a retracted position, surrounded by the elastomeric material that acts as both container and protective sheath. This nesting arrangement keeps the needle sterile and isolated from the external environment during shipping and storage, while the elastomeric material provides continuous sealing without requiring separate sealing components.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the container is designed for single-use with non-reusability, then contamination is prevented, but the device requires additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material is pre-configured with irreversible deformation characteristics that automatically prevent reuse after activation. Once the activator is pressed and the seal is broken, the elastomeric material undergoes permanent deformation that makes re-sealing impossible, built into the material properties rather than requiring additional mechanical locking components.
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 container provides a cost-effective, sterile, and easy-to-use solution for dispensing medical substances as a spray, ensuring accurate dosing, preventing contamination, and securely preventing reuse, while maintaining sterility until activation.
Implementation Method 1
The activator element passes from a closed position, in which it hermetically and/or fluid-dynamically isolates the contents of the activation compartment from the contents of the dispensing compartment, to an open position, in which it puts them into communication
Implementation Method 2
The activation compartment is configured so that when squeezed, it interferes with the activator element to allow the movement thereof
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~4
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
This invention relates to a container (1 ) which is pre-filled or pre- fillable with one or more substances, such as a medical liquid and similar, comprising a squeezable activation compartment (2) intended to contain said one or more substances, a dispensing compartment (3) including a first portion (31 ) equipped with at least one dispensing member (311, 312, 314) of said one or more substances, and a second portion (32), wherein said second portion (32) of said dispensing compartment (3) and said activation compartment (2) are fluid-dynamically connected, and an activator element (4) arranged inside said container (1 ). This invention also relates to a method for dispensing at least one substance by means of a container (1 ), and to a production method of a container (1 ).