Retractable Cannula Holding Means for Universal Vial Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for syringes and vials struggle to securely hold vials of varying sizes due to the cylindrical holding means abutting on larger vial diameters, preventing effective connection.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with a syringe holding member and a cannula holding member that includes a double-head cannula, where the cannula holding member is retractable and engages with the syringe holding member to prevent separation, and an engagement mechanism between outer and inner cylindrical portions allows for vial holding irrespective of size, enabling the cannula to penetrate vial and syringe lids for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cylindrical holding means is used to hold the vial, then the syringe and vial can be connected, but the tip end portion of the holding means abuts on the bottle portion of large-diameter vials preventing effective connection
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means is divided into two functional segments: an outer cylindrical portion that provides structural support and positioning, and an inner cylindrical portion that actually holds the vial. This segmentation allows the inner portion to be sized appropriately for small vials without the outer portion interfering with large vials, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner cylindrical portion is nested within the outer cylindrical portion, with the inner portion having a smaller diameter to accommodate small vials while the outer portion provides overall structural support. This nested configuration allows the holding means to adapt to vials of different sizes - the inner portion engages with small vials while the outer portion clears large vials, enabling both small and large vials to be effectively connected.
2Ease of operation
If the cannula holding member is located at the retracted position, then the syringe can be attached, but the syringe may be accidentally separated from the holding means
Solution Approach 1:
The separation prevention means is activated in advance during the syringe attachment process. When the syringe is attached to the outer cylindrical portion, the separation prevention means automatically engages with the syringe lid member to prevent accidental separation. This preliminary action ensures reliability is established before the cannula penetration operation begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation prevention means acts as an intermediary mechanism between the syringe and the holding means. It includes a prevention member that engages with the syringe lid member and a preventing member on the holding means that blocks separation. This intermediary structure provides reliable prevention of accidental separation while allowing proper attachment operations.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
In a connection device (1), when a cannula holding member (7) is in a use state, a position of an end portion (31t) of an outer cylindrical portion (31) on a retracted position side does not protrude to the retracted position side, with respect to a position of an end portion (41t) of an inner cylindrical portion (41) on the retracted position side. Thereby, a connection device including a structure capable of holding a vial by holding means irrespective of the size of the vial can be provided.