Syringe Adapter Anti-Separation Device for Drug Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug mixing systems lack a reliable safety feature to prevent the premature separation of the fluid flow adapter septum element from the syringe adapter septum element, leading to potential fluid leakage during disconnection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an anti-separation device with a ring member and resilient leaves, or inwardly facing protrusions, or a tooth-and-non-straight-channel mechanism to apply forces that prevent the sudden separation of the syringe adapter element from the fluid flow adapter element, ensuring the septa remain in contact until the needle tip returns to its resting position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the syringe adapter element is designed to separate easily from the fluid flow adapter element for quick disconnection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing fluid leakage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of disconnectionVSAvoidfluid leakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-separation device applies a preliminary restraining force to prevent sudden separation of the adapter elements. The resilient leaves or protrusions create a counteracting force that opposes rapid disconnection, ensuring the septa remain in contact long enough to prevent fluid leakage while still allowing controlled separation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient leaves act as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs the sudden separation force. When the adapter elements attempt to separate rapidly, the resilient leaves compress and provide a damping effect, slowing down the separation process and maintaining septal contact to prevent fluid leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the anti-separation device uses resilient leaves that expand outward, then the reliability of preventing premature separation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of premature separationVSAvoidstructure of anti-separation device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient leaves are self-actuating components that automatically expand and contract in response to insertion and removal forces. They do not require external control mechanisms, motors, or complex actuation systems. The leaves simply deform elastically to provide the necessary restraining force, making the system reliable while keeping the structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient leaves change their physical state between compressed and expanded forms based on the insertion/removal process. This parameter change (elastic deformation) allows the same component to provide both the restraining force during separation and the release mechanism when fully inserted or removed, reducing the need for additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents fluid leakage by ensuring the septa remain in contact during separation, maintaining sterility and safety by preventing fluid from dripping outward, even when the adapter elements are separated rapidly.

Implementation Method 1

a ring member with a plurality of resilient leaves disposed inside a keeper element, the keeper element having a first bore sized to prevent outward expansion of the resilient leaves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

inwardly facing protrusions formed on an inner perimeter of the fluid port adapted to apply a friction force against a fluid flow adapter element inserted in the fluid port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

at least one non-straight channel formed in one of the fluid flow adapter elements that interfaces with a tooth formed in the other of the syringe adapter and fluid flow adapter elements, wherein a axial force applied to separate the syringe adapter and fluid flow adapter elements is acted against by the tooth moving in the non-straight channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2231100B1Syringe adapter element in drug mixing system
Publication Date: 2011.10.05 TEVA MEDICAL LTD
  • EP2231100B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2231100B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2231100B1 patent drawingFigure 3C

AI summary

A syringe adapter element (200) for use in a drug mixing system including a housing element (500) having a syringe port adapted for fluid connection with a syringe and a fluid port (202) adapted for fluid connection with a fluid flow adapter element (204), a needle (550) and at least one septum (502, 504) disposed in the housing element (500), the needle (550) having a sealed orientation wherein the at least one septum (502, 504) blocks fluid flow through the needle (550) and a fluid flow orientation wherein the needle (550) punctures the at least one septum (502,504) so as to permit fluid to flow through the needle, and an anti-separation device (206) adjacent the fluid port, such that when the syringe adapter element (200) is connected to the fluid flow adapter element (204), the anti-separation (206) device applies a force that acts against separating the syringe adapter element (200) from the fluid flow adapter element (204).