Plungerless Aspiration Device with Elastic Bulb for Ocular Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current syringe-based injection and aspiration methods for eye treatments are cumbersome, difficult to control, and inefficient, especially for precise procedures like subretinal injections or small volume medication delivery, due to the need for a plunger mechanism that requires both hands and lacks precision.
Innovation Solution
A plungerless aspiration and injection device with a selectively retractable and extendable needle and an elastically deformable bulb portion, allowing for single-handed operation and controlled fluid delivery or aspiration, featuring a bulb that can be compressed to inject or aspirate fluids, and a knob for needle control, with optional forked blades for regulating fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard syringe with plunger is used for injection or aspiration, then the device can deliver medication or withdraw fluid, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires both hands, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the plunger component from the syringe system entirely. The bulbous reservoir replaces the traditional plunger mechanism, allowing the user to simply squeeze the bulb to inject or aspirate fluid without needing to manipulate a separate plunger with thumb and index fingers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the reservoir and plunger functions into a single integrated bulbous structure. The bulb serves both as the fluid container and the actuation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying the overall device structure.
2Productivity
If a standard syringe is used for aspiration, then fluid can be withdrawn, but it requires both hands to stabilize the syringe and withdraw fluid, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the plunger component from the syringe system entirely. The bulbous reservoir replaces the traditional plunger mechanism, allowing the user to simply squeeze the bulb to inject or aspirate fluid without needing to manipulate a separate plunger with thumb and index fingers.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulbous reservoir design allows the user to stabilize the device with one hand while using the same hand to squeeze the bulb for aspiration or injection. The device is self-stabilizing through its ergonomic design, eliminating the need for a second hand to support the syringe body.
3Measurement precision
If manual thumb control is used for needle penetration, then the syringe can be operated, but it is hard to control the degree of needle penetration, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a scale on the syringe barrel that indicates the depth of needle penetration before the user begins the procedure. This preliminary marking system allows the user to pre-determine and control the exact depth of insertion, eliminating the uncertainty of thumb-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The scale provides visual feedback to the user during needle insertion, allowing real-time monitoring of penetration depth. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of the needle position without requiring complex mechanical stops or additional control mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If automated air pressure capsule is used for injection, then medication can be injected, but the system works like one size fits all and falls short in practice for precise eye injections, reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the fixed, automated air pressure capsule system with a manually squeezable bulbous reservoir that can be dynamically adjusted by the user. The bulb can be compressed to different degrees and for different durations, allowing adaptation to various injection volumes and pressures needed for different eye injection sites and patient anatomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual bulb design allows the user to change the injection parameters (pressure, volume, duration) on-the-fly by varying the squeezing force and duration. This provides the adaptability needed for precise eye injections in different locations (anterior chamber, vitreous, subretinal space) while maintaining the simplicity of a manual system.
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
Enables precise and controlled injection or aspiration of medications or biopsies in sensitive eye tissues, reducing user effort and improving accuracy, particularly in small or hard-to-reach areas like the subretinal space, with the ability to deliver graduated amounts of fluid or medication.
Implementation Method 1
a bulb portion disposed in the housing, the bulb portion defining a fluid containing cavity that is fluidly coupled to the needle portion, and the bulb portion being elastically deformable
Data Source
AI summary
A plungerless aspiration and/or injection device and a method of using the same are disclosed herein. The plungerless aspiration and/or injection device includes a housing with an end portion extending outwardly from the housing, the end portion having an outer edge; a needle portion disposed in the housing, the needle portion including a needle tip, and the needle tip configured to be extended beyond the outer edge of the end portion of the housing; and a bulb portion disposed in the housing, the bulb portion defining a fluid containing cavity that is fluidly coupled to the needle portion, and the bulb portion being elastically deformable to perform aspiration, injection, and/or implantation on a patient. The outer edge of the end portion of the housing is configured to be pressed against a body portion of the patient prior to insertion of the needle tip so as to reduce a pain sensation.