Spring-Loaded Plunger Injector for Controlled Contrast Agent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for delivering contrast agents during procedures, such as angiography, risk kidney damage due to excessive use and require complex systems or expensive automated systems, which are cumbersome and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a cylindrical injector with a plunger and valve system that allows controlled delivery of fluid, capable of being used with manifold and catheter systems, featuring a valve that can open and close to manage the amount of contrast agent introduced into the body, reducing toxicity and improving usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a contrast agent is used during angiography or angioplasty, then the visibility of the image is improved, but the risk of kidney damage increases due to excessive use
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the parameter of fluid delivery by using a spring-loaded plunger mechanism that automatically controls the volume and rate of contrast agent injection, ensuring optimal imaging visibility while limiting the total amount injected to prevent kidney damage
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plunger system is self-regulating, using stored mechanical energy to automatically deliver precise amounts of contrast agent without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby consistently maintaining safe delivery parameters
2Object-affected harmful factors
If less toxic chemicals are used to reduce contrast agent toxicity, then the harmful effects are reduced, but the image visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than changing the chemical composition, the device optimizes the physical parameters of delivery by precisely controlling the volume, pressure, and rate of contrast agent injection, achieving safe toxicity levels while maintaining adequate imaging visibility through optimized delivery parameters
3Ease of operation
If an automated system is used to inject the contrast agent, then the delivery control is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded plunger mechanism is self-actuating, using pre-stored mechanical energy to automatically propel the contrast agent through the syringe and into the patient's bloodstream, providing automated delivery control without complex electronic systems or motors
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential automated function (self-propulsion) from complex automated injection systems by using a simple spring mechanism, removing unnecessary complexity while retaining the benefit of controlled, automatic contrast agent delivery
4Quantity of substance
If a collection system is used to collect contrast agent downstream, then the amount of contrast agent introduced is reduced, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of collecting excess contrast agent after injection, the spring-loaded plunger mechanism performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and limiting the total volume of contrast agent that can be injected, preventing overdose before it occurs and eliminating the need for downstream collection systems
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling delivery of a fluid to a patient is disclosed having an injector device having a cylindrical body and a plunger having a head having a valve, the valve capable of opening and closing, the plunger for insertion into the cylindrical body of the injector device. A device for controlling delivery of a fluid to a patient is also disclosed having an inlet end, an outlet end, a side having a portion of elastic material, the elastic material capable of expanding or contracting with the device for insertion between an injector device and a manifold or an injector device and a catheter.