Pharmaceutical Transfer Device with Retractable Needle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices for pharmaceutical components between containers face challenges such as accidental needle pricks and non-reusability, with limited protection against the needle and contamination concerns, and do not allow for easy mixing of components before administration.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a moveable member that locks into position to prevent accidental needle pricks and allows for reusability by retracting to enable secure handling and mixing of pharmaceutical components between a vial and a syringe, featuring a cap that protects the user and facilitates easy linking of the vial and syringe for mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the needle is exposed for transfer operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental needle pricks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is housed in a moveable member that can dynamically change position between exposed and retracted states. During transfer operations, the needle moves to an exposed position for access, and after use, it automatically or manually retracts to protect the user. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by providing needle access when needed while protecting against accidental pricks when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
A moveable member acts as an intermediary between the needle and the user's hand. This intermediate structure allows the needle to be positioned for transfer operations while maintaining a protective barrier during storage and transport, thus reducing accidental prick risk without compromising operational ease.
2Reliability
If the transfer device is designed for single use to prevent contamination, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases due to disposal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is segmented into distinct components: a reusable housing and a disposable needle assembly. The housing can be sterilized and reused, while only the needle portion is discarded after use. This segmentation allows the system to maintain contamination prevention through proper sterilization of the housing while reducing time loss by eliminating the need to discard the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables discarding only the contaminated needle component while recovering and reusing the housing. The housing can be sterilized between uses through autoclaving or other sterilization methods, allowing multiple uses without compromising reliability. This selective discarding approach reduces time loss compared to single-use devices while maintaining contamination prevention.
3Ease of operation
If the vial remains secured to the transfer device after use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability worsens as the device cannot be re-used
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the vial and transfer device is dynamic rather than fixed. The vial holder can be quickly released and repositioned, allowing the same transfer device to be used with multiple different vials. This dynamic connection mechanism maintains ease of operation while enabling adaptability for multiple uses.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the cap is removed only after coupling to the vial, then the protection against accidental pricks is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to be dynamically removable and repositionable. It can be temporarily moved aside to allow access to the syringe side for coupling operations, then repositioned to provide protection. This dynamic cap positioning resolves the contradiction by providing protection when needed while allowing access during operational steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transfer device for pharmaceuticals comprising a housing which has an open bottom permitting insertion of a vial within the housing, a piercing member mounted within the housing and having an interior passageway formed therein, a connector for a syringe located on top of the housing, and a moveable member mounted within the housing, the moveable member being moveable from a first position preventing access to the piercing member and a second position permitting access to the piercing member when the vial is inserted in the housing.