Syringe Adapter Resilient Locking for Closed Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare providers face risks of exposure to hazardous chemotherapy drugs during reconstitution, transportation, and administration due to unintentional release of these drugs into the atmosphere during transfer, leading to potential health hazards.
Innovation Solution
A syringe adapter system with a housing, cannula, and collet that includes a seal member and a resilient locking mechanism, allowing for closed transfer of fluids between containers while preventing leakage and exposure, featuring a connection arrangement that secures the syringe adapter to a patient connector for leak-proof sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a needle is used to transfer drugs from a vial to a syringe, then the transfer can be completed, but drug leakage into the atmosphere may occur during needle withdrawal and while the needle is inside the vial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a closed transfer device as an intermediary system between the vial and syringe. This device includes a adapter that connects to the vial and a syringe interface, creating a closed pathway for drug transfer. The intermediary device eliminates direct needle exposure to the atmosphere during transfer, preventing drug leakage while maintaining the essential function of drug reconstitution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a closed, controlled environment for drug transfer that isolates the hazardous drug from the surrounding atmosphere. The closed transfer device maintains a sealed system during the entire transfer process, effectively creating an inert environment that prevents drug aerosolization and atmospheric contamination, thereby protecting healthcare providers from exposure.
2Ease of operation
If the locking member is made resilient to allow opening and closing, then the connector can be easily connected and disconnected, but the sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient locking member that can dynamically transition between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic component allows the connector to be easily connected and disconnected while maintaining reliable sealing when locked. The resilience of the locking member enables repeated operation without compromising sealing integrity, as it can flex to accommodate connection forces and then return to its sealed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking member inherently provides cushioning by absorbing connection forces through its elasticity. When the connector is being assembled, the resilient material flexes to accommodate misalignments and forces, then maintains a consistent sealed position. This beforehand cushioning effect protects against forces that might otherwise compromise the sealing reliability while enabling easy operation.
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 system ensures substantially leak-proof sealing during fluid transfer, preventing both air and liquid leakage, thereby reducing the risk of exposure to hazardous drugs and enhancing safety in healthcare settings.
Implementation Method 1
an arcuate, resilient locking member connected to the body of the collet. The collet is movable from a first position where the locking member is open to receive a mating connector to a second position where radially outward movement of the locking member is restricted
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end with the first end configured to be secured to a first container, a cannula having a first end and a second end with the second end positioned within the housing, and a collet having a first end and a second end with at least a portion of the collet received within the housing. The collet includes a body defining a passageway, a seal member received by the passageway, and an arcuate, resilient locking member connected to the body of the collet. The collet is movable from a first position where the locking member is open to receive a mating connector to a second position where radially outward movement of the locking member is restricted.


