Multi-Chamber Syringe With Rotating Stopper for Sequential Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vascular access devices (VADs) are prone to contamination and infection due to frequent disconnection and reconnection of syringes during medical fluid administration, increasing the risk of bloodstream infections and requiring multiple flush procedures that can lead to catheter blockages and therapy interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chamber syringe design with separate chambers for a first fluid (medical fluid) and a second fluid (flush solution) that allows sequential expulsion through a single plunger stroke, minimizing the need for syringe changes and reducing contamination risks by maintaining fluid isolation until use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate syringes are used for medical fluid and flush solution, then fluid isolation and contamination prevention are improved, but the number of syringe connections and disconnections increases, leading to higher contamination risk and longer procedure time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate syringes (one for medical fluid and one for flush solution) into a single integrated multi-chamber syringe. This merging eliminates the need for separate syringe connections and disconnections, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining fluid isolation through internal stopper mechanisms. The medical fluid and flush solution remain separately contained until simultaneous expulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-chamber syringe performs multiple functions within a single device: it contains both medical fluid and flush solution in separate chambers, maintains fluid isolation through stoppers, enables simultaneous expulsion of both fluids, and eliminates the need for multiple separate syringe operations. This multi-functionality addresses both fluid isolation requirements and procedure time reduction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple syringes are connected and disconnected during administration, then fluid delivery flexibility is improved, but contamination risk and infection probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple syringes into a single integrated device that can deliver both medical fluid and flush solution without requiring separate syringe connections. The internal stopper mechanism maintains fluid isolation while allowing both fluids to be expelled simultaneously through a single connection point, thereby reducing contamination risk while preserving delivery flexibility.
3Reliability
If separate flush procedures are performed before and after fluid administration, then catheter patency and infection prevention are improved, but the frequency of syringe connections and disconnections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pre-flush and post-flush operations into a single integrated action. The multi-chamber syringe contains both the medical fluid and the flush solution, allowing the user to administer the medical fluid and then immediately flush the catheter in a single continuous motion without disconnecting or reconnecting syringes. This reduces the number of syringe operations while maintaining catheter patency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous action by allowing the medical fluid and flush solution to be expelled sequentially or simultaneously in a single uninterrupted motion. The stopper mechanism ensures that the flush solution is ready to be delivered immediately after the medical fluid, eliminating breaks in the flushing action and reducing the number of connection/disconnection cycles.
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 multi-chamber syringe simplifies drug administration, reduces infection risk, and ensures complete drug delivery by eliminating the need for multiple syringe connections, thereby enhancing patient safety and reducing catheter blockages.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the first stopper relative to the syringe barrel establishes fluid communication between the second chamber and the first chamber through the at least one channel of the first stopper
Implementation Method 2
A plunger rod may be inserted into the barrel to move the first stopper and the second stopper through the barrel in a proximal direction, thereby expelling the first fluid from the barrel through the fluid port of the barrel
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chamber syringe for sequential expulsion of a first fluid followed by a second fluid includes a barrel, a first stopper, and a second stopper. The barrel includes a proximal end, a distal end having a fluid port, and a sidewall. The first stopper including a channel is slidably positioned in the barrel, such that a first chamber configured to contain the first fluid is provided between the distal end of the barrel and the first stopper. The second stopper is slidably positioned in the barrel proximal to the first stopper, such that a second chamber configured to contain the second fluid is provided between the first stopper and the second stopper. Rotation of the first stopper relative to the syringe barrel establishes fluid communication between the second chamber and the first chamber through the channel of the first stopper.