Multi-Barrel Syringe Piercing for Sequential Fluid Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vascular access devices (VADs) are prone to contamination and infection risk due to frequent connection and disconnection of syringes during medical fluid administration, necessitating multiple flush procedures that complicate drug delivery and increase infection risk.

Innovation Solution

A multi-barrel syringe design with an outer barrel for the first fluid and an inner barrel for the second fluid, where the inner barrel is pierced by protrusions in the outer barrel to allow sequential expulsion of both fluids without disconnecting, reducing the need for multiple syringe connections and disinfections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple syringes are used for sequential fluid administration, then complete drug delivery and catheter flushing can be achieved, but the frequency of connection and disconnection increases contamination risk and complicates the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter patency and complete drug deliveryVSAvoidcontamination risk and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple syringes into a single multi-barrel syringe device where the first barrel contains the medical fluid and the second barrel contains the flush solution. This merging eliminates the need to disconnect and reconnect separate syringes, reducing contamination risk while maintaining the ability to deliver medication and flush the catheter sequentially through a single connected device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-barrel syringe serves multiple functions within a single device: it can administer medication through the first barrel, flush the catheter through the second barrel, and maintain catheter patency. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed and minimizes connection/disconnection events that expose the VAD to contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple syringes are used for fluid administration, then medication and flush solution can be delivered, but the procedure complexity and time required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete drug deliveryVSAvoidnumber of syringes and connection steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple syringes into a single integrated multi-barrel syringe with a shared plunger mechanism. The first barrel contains medical fluid and the second barrel contains flush solution, both controlled by a single plunger. This reduces the number of separate devices and connection steps required, simplifying the procedure while ensuring complete drug delivery and catheter flushing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-barrel syringe is pre-filled with both the medical fluid in the first barrel and the flush solution in the second barrel before connection to the VAD. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for multiple separate filling operations and connection steps during the procedure, reducing complexity and saving time while ensuring complete drug delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If frequent syringe connections and disconnections are performed, then complete flush procedures can be executed, but the VAD is repeatedly exposed to unsterile environment increasing infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter patency confirmationVSAvoidnumber of disconnection and reconnection steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the medication administration syringe and the flush syringe into a single multi-barrel syringe device. This allows the practitioner to perform both medication delivery and catheter flushing without disconnecting from the VAD, eliminating repeated exposure to unsterile environments and reducing infection risk while maintaining catheter patency confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-barrel syringe enables continuous fluid administration through the VAD without interruption or disconnection. The practitioner can sequentially deliver medication from the first barrel and then flush the catheter with the second barrel while maintaining continuous connection to the VAD, ensuring uninterrupted sterile fluid flow and eliminating exposure to unsterile environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250325750A1Multi-Barrel Syringe for Sequential Delivery of Fluids and Methods of Use

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

A multi-barrel syringe for sequential expulsion of a first fluid followed by a second fluid includes an outer barrel containing the first fluid and an inner barrel slideably inserted in the outer barrel containing the second fluid. The outer barrel includes an open proximal end, a distal end comprising a fluid port, a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a protrusion extending into the outer barrel from an inner surface of the outer barrel. The inner barrel includes an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a sidewall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. Moving the inner barrel through the outer barrel brings a pierceable portion of the inner barrel into contact with the protrusion of the outer barrel to pierce the inner barrel, thereby allowing the second fluid to flow from the inner barrel to the outer barrel.