Shrink Label Locking for Syringe Adaptor Tamper Evidence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery devices face challenges in ensuring secure, anti-rotational connections between the adaptor and syringe barrel, maintaining tamper evidence, and integrating RFID tags without adhesion issues or torque limitations.

Innovation Solution

A label is applied to the drug delivery device, comprising a shrinkable film that adheres to the barrel, adaptor, and cap, preventing rotation and providing a tamper-evident feature, while incorporating an RFID tag for identification and tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a label is applied to the adaptor and syringe barrel to prevent rotation, then the connection security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The label is applied to wrap around both the adaptor and syringe barrel simultaneously, merging the anti-rotation function with the existing labeling requirement. This single label structure serves dual purposes: providing connection security by preventing adaptor rotation and maintaining device identification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The label serves multiple functions: it provides anti-rotation security, maintains device identification, and can incorporate tamper-evident features. By making the label multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If tamper-evident features are incorporated into the tip cap, then the syringe integrity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesyringe integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tamper-evident functionality is extracted from the tip cap and relocated to the label that wraps around the adaptor and syringe barrel. This separation allows the tip cap to be manufactured independently without expensive tamper-evident features, while the label provides the integrity verification function at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a disposable label as the tamper-evident mechanism rather than incorporating permanent features into the tip cap. The label can be designed with frangible elements or tamper-indicating properties that are cost-effective to implement on a disposable component rather than a reusable cap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of information

If an RFID tag is embedded in the tip cap, then the tracking capability is improved, but the cap adhesion and torque transmission are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidcap adhesion and torque transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag is extracted from the tip cap and relocated to the label that wraps around the adaptor and syringe barrel. This removes the interfering element from the cap structure, eliminating adhesion issues and allowing full torque transmission features on the cap exterior while maintaining RFID tracking capability on the label.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The label serves as an intermediary carrier for the RFID tag, positioning it in a location that does not interfere with cap function. The label acts as a mediator between the tracking requirement and the cap's mechanical requirements, allowing both to coexist without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The label ensures a secure, anti-rotational connection, maintains tamper evidence, and enhances RFID tag readability, improving device integrity and tracking capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

A label is applied to the drug delivery device, comprising a shrinkable film that adheres to the barrel, adaptor, and cap, preventing rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

comprising a shrinkable film that adheres to the barrel, adaptor, and cap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP4686488A1Drug delivery device label with identification and tamper evidence features

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

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AI summary

Provided herein is a drug delivery device (10) that includes a barrel (12) defining a chamber (20) configured to receive a composition, with the barrel comprising a distal tip (28) defining a lumen (30) to provide a passageway for transfer of the composition. The drug delivery device also includes a cylindrical adaptor (50) mounted onto the distal tip and comprising an internal thread defining at least a portion of an inner surface and an outer surface, with the adaptor rotatable relative to the barrel. The drug delivery device further includes a cap (60) mated with the cylindrical adaptor and the distal tip to protect the cylindrical adaptor and the distal tip when the drug delivery device is not in use, and a label (90) applied to at least a portion of the barrel, the adaptor, and at least a portion of the cap, with the label preventing relative rotation between the adaptor and the barrel.