Multi-Chamber Syringe with Free-Floating Piston for Sequential Fluid Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current syringes are inadequate for delivering multiple separate fluids sequentially, leading to inefficiencies and errors in medicament delivery, as they either require complex procedures, leave medicament residue in infusion lines, or fail to facilitate rapid and reliable dual fluid administration.
Innovation Solution
A single syringe design with two or more separate in-line chambers and a free-floating piston, along with an adjustable manifold and control knob, allows for the sequential filling and dispensing of different fluids through a single plunger, ensuring accurate and efficient delivery without fluid contact until needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single syringe is used to deliver multiple medicaments, then the number of syringes and procedures is reduced, but the ability to deliver fluids sequentially and accurately is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is divided into multiple separate chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can each hold different medicaments. These chambers are separated by movable pistons that prevent fluid mixing until delivery. This segmentation allows multiple medicaments to be stored separately within a single syringe device, enabling accurate sequential delivery without requiring multiple separate syringes.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple chambers are nested within the single syringe body, with each chamber containing its own movable piston. The chambers are arranged in series along the syringe axis, with pistons that can move independently to control fluid flow from each chamber. This nested configuration allows the syringe to function as multiple separate delivery units while maintaining a compact single-device structure.
2Device complexity
If one syringe is loaded with both medicaments, then the number of syringes is reduced, but medicament residue remains in infusion lines and volume delivery errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is divided into multiple separate chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that can each hold different medicaments. These chambers are separated by movable pistons that prevent fluid mixing until delivery. This segmentation allows multiple medicaments to be stored separately within a single syringe device, enabling accurate sequential delivery without requiring multiple separate syringes.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable pistons extract and isolate each medicament into separate chambers, preventing cross-contamination and residue mixing. The pistons can be positioned to completely dispense each medicament from its chamber before moving to the next, ensuring that infusion lines are cleared of previous medicament before receiving the next one, thereby eliminating residue problems.
3Reliability
If two separate syringes are used for medicament and saline flush, then accurate delivery is possible, but the procedure is time-consuming and requires disconnection and reconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe combines multiple functional chambers (first chamber for medicament, second chamber for saline flush, third chamber for additional medicament) into a single integrated device. The chambers are connected in series through the syringe body, allowing sequential delivery of different fluids without disconnection. The movable pistons enable each chamber to be accessed in sequence, merging the functionality of multiple syringes into one continuous delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe enables continuous fluid delivery through sequential activation of chambers. As one chamber is depleted, its piston moves to allow the next chamber to begin delivery without interruption. This continuous action eliminates the time loss associated with disconnecting and reconnecting syringes, while maintaining accurate delivery through controlled piston movement and sealed chamber transitions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a stopcock system is used to switch between syringes, then multiple medicaments can be delivered, but the procedure becomes elaborate and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe combines multiple functional chambers (first chamber for medicament, second chamber for saline flush, third chamber for additional medicament) into a single integrated device. The chambers are connected in series through the syringe body, allowing sequential delivery of different fluids without disconnection. The movable pistons enable each chamber to be accessed in sequence, merging the functionality of multiple syringes into one continuous delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe design provides multi-functionality by incorporating multiple chambers that can each hold different types of fluids (medicaments, saline flush). The movable piston mechanism universally controls fluid delivery from any chamber, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms for each fluid. This universal design simplifies the procedure while maintaining the ability to deliver multiple medicaments sequentially.
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
Enables simple, rapid, and reliable delivery of multiple fluids from a single syringe, reducing errors and improving treatment efficiency by allowing precise loading and staged dispensing of separate medicaments or liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a free floating piston between a seal at a proximal end of the plunger and a proximal end of the body of the syringe
Implementation Method 2
When the plunger is retracted distally, and toward a user, a vacuum is drawn between the seal on the proximal end of the plunger and the proximal end of the body, which causes a fluid to be sucked in through the tip of the syringe
Implementation Method 3
This process is reversed by pushing the plunger proximally and away from the user to dispense medicament from the syringe and through the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The syringe includes a hollow body with at least one free-floating piston and a plunger within the body, with the piston between the plunger and a proximal end of the body. A manifold is provided lateral to the body. The manifold leads to an input/output tip. The manifold includes a front port located between the piston and the proximal end of the body and a rear port spaced from the proximal end of the body. The manifold includes at least one flow path leading from the input/output tip to at least one of the front port and/or the rear port. A first fluid fills a rear chamber distal to the piston and then the manifold is adjusted to fill second fluid into a front chamber proximal of the piston, and then the manifold is adjusted to allow sequential delivery of the second fluid and the first fluid.