Wound Irrigation Splashback Shield Air Vent Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional splashback shields require detachment from the syringe for refilling, leading to air being drawn into the syringe and reducing the irrigant volume, and existing solutions either fail to eliminate splash or are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A see-through, hollow splashback shield with a conduit for syringe attachment and air vents that allow trapped air to escape while maintaining optimal pressure and preventing irrigant loss, enabling repeated filling without detachment and efficient flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional splashback shield is used for wound irrigation, then splash is eliminated and optimal irrigation pressure is provided, but the shield must be detached for refilling which causes air to be drawn into the syringe and reduces irrigant volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-made splashback shields with integrated syringes that are prepared in advance. The syringe is pre-attached to the shield with proper positioning of the nozzle and seal, eliminating the need for detachment and reattachment during refilling operations. This pre-prepared configuration ensures that irrigant can be delivered reliably without air intake issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the splashback shield and syringe into a single integrated assembly. The syringe is permanently attached to the shield through a sealed connection at the nozzle, combining two previously separate components. This merging eliminates the operational problem of detachment during refilling while maintaining both the splash protection function and the irrigation delivery function in one unified device.
2Ease of operation
If additional equipment like the Klenzalac system is used to avoid detachment during refilling, then repeated filling is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the splashback shield and syringe into a single integrated assembly, eliminating the need for additional complex equipment like the Klenzalac system. The simple integrated design allows repeated refilling operations without requiring multi-component systems, check valves, or complex attachment mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated shield-syringe assembly serves multiple functions: it provides splashback protection, maintains optimal irrigation pressure, enables repeated refilling without detachment, and prevents air intake during refilling. This multi-functionality in a single simple device replaces the need for complex specialized equipment.
3Reliability
If air vents are added to the shield to allow air escape during refilling, then air intake is minimized, but the shield structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane or thin film structure for the shield that can deform to allow air vents to open during refilling operations. This flexible shell approach enables air escape functionality without requiring complex rigid mechanical venting structures, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability of irrigant delivery by preventing air intake.
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 solution allows for efficient and splash-free wound irrigation with optimal pressure, minimizing air intake and irrigant loss, suitable for routine and complex wounds, while being cost-effective and simple to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
There are further a number of air vent(s) through the shield near the conduit or the top of the shield. Advantageously, when submerging and re-filling the syringe with irrigant with the shield attached, any air trapped inside the shield is able to escape rather than being drawn into the syringe.
Implementation Method 2
A conduit goes through the outer surface of the shield near the top and is designed to interface with the syringe, and narrows as it extends into the shield.
Implementation Method 3
The solution allows for efficient and splash-free wound irrigation with optimal pressure, minimizing air intake and irrigant loss
Data Source
AI summary
A splashback shield for attachment to a syringe for wound irrigation includes a generally dome-shaped shield with a conduit or tunnel through the top that narrows to form a nozzle as it extends substantially inside the shield. A number of air vents or passageways surround the conduit so when submerging and re-filling the syringe with irrigant with the shield attached any air trapped inside the shield escapes rather than drawn into the syringe. The air vents are preferably elongate tubular passageways that narrow exiting the shield, facilitating air escaping but the irrigant mixed with any blood and contamination tends not to pass through the vents. The device is an improvement over the conventional Zerowet® Splashield® product.