Rotatable Finger Flange for Syringe Ergonomics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional syringe finger flanges are inadequate in size and ergonomics, leading to increased packaging footprint and costs, necessitating a solution that allows for a compact configuration during shipping and a larger footprint for improved usability at the point of use.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable finger flange design comprising two flange components that engage and rotate relative to each other about the syringe's longitudinal axis, allowing for a reduced footprint in non-use position and increased lateral extent in use position, with features like radially extending tabs and arcuate projections for secure attachment and easy rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a larger finger flange accessory is used to improve usability and control, then user leverage and control are improved, but the packaging footprint increases leading to higher shipping and storage costs
Solution Approach 1:
The finger flange is designed with rotatably connected first and second flange components that can transition between a compact configuration during shipping and an expanded configuration during use. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same structure to minimize packaging footprint while providing adequate finger engagement surface area when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger flange is divided into multiple separable components (first flange component and second flange component) that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation enables the flange to be collapsed into a compact form for shipping while maintaining full functionality when expanded for use.
2Ease of operation
If a larger finger flange accessory is used to improve ergonomics, then usability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connection between flange components provides dynamic adaptability for improved ergonomics without requiring a completely complex structure. The simplicity of rotational movement combined with the expanded surface area achieves better user comfort and control.
3Ease of operation
If a larger finger flange accessory is used to improve usability, then finger engagement is improved, but the shipping costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The finger flange transitions from a compact shipping configuration to an expanded usage configuration, allowing adequate finger engagement surface area only when needed. This dynamic transformation eliminates the need to pay for shipping extra packaging space that would be required for a permanently large flange.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the flange into rotatable segments, the design achieves adequate finger engagement surface area during use while collapsing to a compact form during shipping, thereby reducing packaging material and shipping costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A conventional syringe defines a longitudinal axis and includes a syringe barrel having a syringe barrel flange laterally extending from an open proximal end of the syringe barrel and a plunger advanceable into the syringe barrel. A rotatable finger flange for such a syringe includes identical first and second flange components, each having an attachment member configured to releasably engage the syringe barrel flange and/or the other flange component, and a flange member laterally extending therefrom. The first and second flange component are engageable and rotatable relative to one another about the longitudinal axis between a non-use position, wherein the first flange member overlies the second flange member to reduce the finger flange footprint, and a use position, wherein the first flange member and the second flange member are angularly spaced apart from one another to provide a finger flange having a greater lateral extent than the syringe barrel flange.