Multi-barrel Syringe with Plunger Array for Single-step Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current injection needle devices require multiple positioning and repositioning cycles to deliver medicament to multiple tissue sites, leading to precision issues, inconsistent medicament distribution, and challenges with air purging and structural integrity due to the use of separate syringes and manifolds.

Innovation Solution

A multi-barrel syringe injection device with a plunger array and individually connected needles allows for a single positioning step, ensuring equal medicament distribution across multiple sites by eliminating the need for repositioning and using a single syringe with each needle connected to a dedicated barrel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple injection cycles are performed with a limited number of needles, then the device can treat more tissue sites, but positioning precision and medicament distribution consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of tissue sites treatedVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the injection function into multiple independent needle units (e.g., 9 needles arranged in a 3x3 array), each capable of independent deployment and retraction. This segmentation allows all needles to be positioned simultaneously in a single positioning action, eliminating the need for multiple repositioning cycles and maintaining precision across all injection sites.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple injection cycles are performed with needle retraction and repositioning, then additional tissue sites can be treated, but medicament distribution consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of tissue sites treatedVSAvoidmedicament distribution consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple injection functions into a single integrated unit with a common medicament supply system. All needles are connected to a shared reservoir and can be filled simultaneously, ensuring uniform medicament distribution across all sites in one operation, eliminating variability introduced by multiple separate injection cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a separate syringe and manifold system is used, then medicament can be delivered to multiple needles, but structural integrity and air purging capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedicament delivery capabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges the syringe, manifold, and needle array into a single integrated injection unit. The barrels are arranged in a compact configuration with direct connection to the needle bases, eliminating separate manifold components and luer connections. This integration maintains structural integrity while enabling simultaneous medicament delivery to all needles through the unified barrel array.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a manifold system is used to flow couple multiple needles, then medicament distribution is enabled, but turbulence and distribution inconsistency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedicament flow distributionVSAvoidturbulence
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts and eliminates the traditional manifold component from the system. Instead of using a central manifold to distribute medicament, each needle is directly connected to its own barrel or a simplified distribution structure, removing the source of turbulence and flow inconsistency associated with manifold geometry and multiple connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2877231B1Multi-barrel syringe injection system
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 MUFFIN INC
  • EP2877231B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2877231B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2877231B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An injection device for injecting a medicant into a plurality of tissue sites in a patient for a selected treatment is constructed and arranged such that the number of tissue sites is the total number for the selected treatment thereby requiring a single positioning step. The injection device includes a body having a syringe and a control linkage, the syringe including a plurality of barrels, and a cooperating plunger array including a plurality of plungers. Each barrel receives a corresponding plunger. The injection device further includes a plurality of injection needles connected to the syringe wherein one injection needle is connected to each barrel, a multi-lumen tip, a shaft connected to the multi-lumen tip and extending between said multi-lumen tip and said body. The control linkage is connected to each needle so as to move each needle between a deployed injection position and a retracted position.