Multi-Ribbed Vial Septum Structure for Radiation-Sealed Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for delivering radioactive compounds in cancer treatments, such as transarterial radioembolization, fail to adequately seal and shield against radiation exposure to patients and medical personnel.
Innovation Solution
A vial assembly with a multi-ribbed septum and vial design that includes a top surface with ribs and valleys, where the interior rib compresses against the vial neck to form a seal, reducing radiation emission during delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple septum design is used, then manufacturing is easier and cost is lower, but sealing effectiveness and radiation shielding are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The septum is divided into multiple functional ribs (first rib, second rib, third rib) with different heights and configurations. Each rib segment performs a specific sealing function at different locations, improving overall sealing effectiveness while maintaining manufacturability through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the septum are designed with different properties: the first rib has greater height for primary sealing, the second rib provides secondary sealing, and the third rib offers tertiary sealing. This localized differentiation optimizes sealing performance where needed without unnecessarily complicating the entire structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a simple septum design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but radiation shielding capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The septum structure is segmented into multiple ribs that collectively provide radiation shielding. The distributed rib configuration creates multiple barriers against radiation penetration, improving shielding effectiveness without requiring a completely complex redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The septum utilizes a flexible elastomeric material that can be formed into complex rib configurations. This flexibility allows the creation of effective radiation shielding structures through molding processes rather than requiring complex assembly of multiple components
3Reliability
If a multi-ribbed septum design is used, then sealing and radiation shielding are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing ribs and shielding features are merged into a single integrated elastomeric component. This consolidation improves sealing and radiation shielding performance while simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate parts
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes variations in rib height parameters (first rib greater than second and third ribs) and material properties of the elastomeric septum to achieve complex sealing functions through a single molded component, making manufacturing feasible despite the complex geometry
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-ribbed septum effectively seals and shields against radiation, minimizing exposure to patients and medical personnel during the delivery of radioactive compounds.
Implementation Method 1
The interior first rib includes an outer wall, the outer wall configured to radially compress against an interior wall of the neck region of the vial
Data Source
AI summary
A septum for sealing a vial assembly having a vial including a neck region including a first width comprises a top surface, a bottom surface disposed opposite the top surface, a radially extending outer side surface disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, a plurality of ribs disposed on the top surface, and a plurality of valleys. Each valley may be disposed between to space apart at least two ribs of the plurality of ribs. The plurality of ribs may include at least an interior first rib, an intermediate rib, and an exterior outer rib. The interior first rib may include an outer wall, the outer wall configured to radially compress against an interior wall of the neck region of the vial, the outer wall including a height that is greater than a height of the intermediate rib and the exterior outer rib.