Prefilled Syringe Interface Mechanism for Infusion Pump Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion pumps are not designed to interface with prefilled syringes, leading to hazardous exposure to needles and inefficient filling processes, as they require manual filling of reservoirs with conventional syringes.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interface mechanism that securely couples a prefilled syringe to the infusion pump, using threaded or snap-fit engagements, to facilitate the transfer of therapeutic liquid into the pump's reservoir while protecting users from needle exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional syringes are used to fill the reservoir, then the reservoir can be filled with therapeutic liquid, but the process involves numerous steps and exposed needles that are hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
A needleless adapter is introduced as an intermediary device between the syringe and reservoir. The adapter receives the syringe barrel without a needle, provides a sealed interface, and allows therapeutic liquid to be transferred to the reservoir without exposing users to needles. This mediator eliminates the hazard while maintaining the filling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is extracted or removed from the syringe assembly before the filling operation. By separating the needle from the syringe barrel and using a needleless adapter instead, the hazardous component is taken out of the filling process while the liquid transfer function is preserved through alternative means.
2Ease of operation
If existing prefilled syringes are used, then the filling process would be simplified, but existing infusion pumps are not designed to interface with them
Solution Approach 1:
The needleless adapter is designed with universal compatibility features that allow it to interface with both existing prefilled syringes and the infusion pump reservoir. The adapter serves multiple functions: receiving various syringe types, providing a sealed connection, and enabling liquid transfer, making the system adaptable to different syringe designs while simplifying the filling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling system is segmented into separate functional components: the syringe (prefilled), the needleless adapter (interface device), and the reservoir (receiver). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates compatibility between different syringe types and pump systems through the standardized adapter interface.
3Quantity of substance
If manual filling is used, then the reservoir can be filled, but it requires numerous steps including sterilizing, injecting, retracting plunger, and removing air
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is prefilled with the therapeutic liquid before use, and the needleless adapter is pre-assembled and sterilized. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to perform sterilization, needle injection, plunger retraction, and air removal steps during the actual filling operation, significantly reducing the time and complexity of the filling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The needleless adapter design enables self-service filling where the system itself facilitates the liquid transfer without requiring complex manual operations. The adapter's internal structure and sealing mechanisms automatically manage the liquid flow and air exclusion, allowing the user to simply connect the components and initiate transfer without performing multiple manual steps.
Data Source
Figure 1~2C
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
A prefilled syringe may be interfaced with and used to fill an infusion pump with therapeutic liquid. The dispensing end of the prefilled syringe may be coupled (either directly or indirectly using a syringe cap) to a syringe coupling region of the infusion pump, for example, using a threaded engagement or snap fit engagement. As the dispensing end of the prefilled syringe is coupled to the syringe coupling region of the pump housing, a needle passes through the pump housing and/or a needle passage region of the dispensing end such that the prefilled syringe is fluidly coupled to a reservoir in the pump. In various embodiments, the needle may be located in the syringe coupling region or in a syringe cap coupled to the dispensing end of the prefilled syringe.