Automated Needle Alignment for Self-Sealing Membrane Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fluid transfer operations in medicinal containers like syringes, vials, and IV bags often result in leakage and contamination due to uncontrolled needle insertions, which compromise the seal integrity and accuracy in medication dosing.
Innovation Solution
An automated system that controls the orientation and alignment of needles with beveled leading edges to create and reuse apertures in self-sealing membranes, minimizing damage and ensuring precise fluid communication while maintaining seal integrity through a predetermined sequence of draw and expel operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual needle insertion methods are used for fluid transfer, then ease of operation is improved, but leakage and contamination occur due to uncontrolled insertions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical needle insertion with an automated system that uses sensors to detect membrane characteristics and control the insertion process. The automated needle insertion device precisely positions and inserts needles into detected apertures, eliminating the leakage and contamination issues associated with manual operations while maintaining ease of use through automation.
2Productivity
If multiple needle insertions are made in the same aperture, then productivity is improved, but membrane damage increases leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where sensors detect the characteristics of the membrane and the status of apertures after each insertion. This feedback information is used to control subsequent needle insertions, ensuring they are made into existing apertures rather than creating new ones. The system monitors and adjusts the insertion process to prevent membrane damage while enabling multiple fluid transfer operations through the same aperture.
3Reliability
If automated needle insertion control is implemented, then seal integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single automated fluid transfer device. The device combines sensor detection capabilities, automated needle insertion control, aperture identification, and fluid transfer operations. By making the device multi-functional, the complexity is consolidated into one unit that performs all necessary operations to maintain seal integrity while enabling reliable automated fluid transfer between containers.
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 system effectively reduces leakage and contamination, maintains seal integrity for multiple insertions, and improves the accuracy of medication dosing by ensuring precise control over needle insertion locations and orientations, allowing for reliable fluid transfer operations.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid transfer port can include a self-sealing membrane that can seal around an inserted needle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Some methods and related apparatus for manipulating a fluid conduit for insertion into a substantially re-sealable membrane include determining an orientation and position of a fluid conduit relative to the membrane. In an illustrative example, a syringe needle having a beveled leading edge may be manipulated by an automated device to be oriented and aligned with an aperture made upon a previous insertion of a needle into a membrane. In some examples, a predetermined number of insertions may be made in the same aperture by aligning and orienting one or more needles with the aperture. In some examples, multiple needle insertions may be controlled to produce apertures that are substantially spaced apart. Such procedures may, for example, advantageously extend the integrity of the membrane against leakage and/or contamination.