Syringe Auxiliary Return Chamber for Cytotoxic Vapor Containment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing syringe systems used for reconstituting cytotoxic active ingredients in chemotherapy treatments allow harmful solvent vapors and gaseous emissions to escape, posing risks to medical staff, and the filters currently used to mitigate this issue are ineffective and costly.

Innovation Solution

A syringe design featuring a closed space with a movable piston and an auxiliary return chamber, where the piston defines both a fluid containment chamber and an auxiliary return chamber, connected via a hollow needle that allows for the containment and redirection of gaseous emissions back into the bottle, preventing atmospheric release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter with openings of 0.2 μm is equipped on the vent to retain harmful molecules, then the safety of medical staff is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase, and the filter effectiveness is questionable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of medical staffVSAvoidcomplexity of filter system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful gaseous emissions are extracted and isolated from the main system by directing them through the auxiliary connection element into a separate containment volume (the bottle), removing the harmful factor from the operational environment without requiring complex filtration systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary connection element acts as an intermediary pathway that redirects gaseous emissions away from the vent and medical staff, channeling them through a controlled route into the bottle where they are contained, thus mediating between the source of emissions and the external environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a filter is used to retain harmful molecules in the bottle, then the retention of cytotoxic molecules is improved, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of harmful moleculesVSAvoidcost of filter material

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle, which naturally contains the active ingredient in powder form, is repurposed as a containment vessel for gaseous emissions. The same container that holds the cytotoxic powder now also traps harmful vapors and emissions, converting a potentially harmful byproduct into a contained element within the existing system structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottle serves multiple functions: it contains the cytotoxic active ingredient in powder form, accepts solvent for reconstitution, and simultaneously acts as a trap for gaseous emissions and vapors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate filtration components, reducing overall system cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stress or pressure

If the vent is used to evacuate excess air during solvent introduction, then the pressure control is improved, but harmful solvent vapors and active ingredient emissions escape into the atmosphere

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure control in bottleVSAvoidemissions of harmful vapors

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The venting function is segmented into two separate pathways: the original vent continues to handle pressure equalization by evacuating excess air, while the auxiliary connection element handles the containment and redirection of harmful gaseous emissions. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 syringe effectively confines harmful gaseous emissions within the bottle and auxiliary return chamber, ensuring operator safety by preventing the release of cytotoxic molecules during the reconstitution process, thus eliminating the need for costly and questionable filters.

Implementation Method 1

the auxiliary connection element comprises a hollow needle; said return passage is extended by an auxiliary element for connection to said complementary volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas redirection through hollow needle:

Data Source

PatentUS7896849B2Syringe for medical interventions and kit for reconstituting extemporaneous substances

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 PEROUSE MEDICAL

AI summary

A syringe (12) having: a syringe body (18) in which a passage (28) for the circulation of fluid is defined, the circulatory passage (28) being extended by a main element (20) for fluidic connection to a complementary volume (13); and a movable piston (36) inside the syringe body (18), defining, with the syringe body (18), a chamber for the containment of fluid, opening out through the circulatory passage (28). The syringe body (18) defines a closed space in which the piston (36) is movably mounted. The piston (36) also defines in the closed space an auxiliary return chamber. The syringe body (18) defines a return passage (48) opening out into the auxiliary return chamber (46). The return passage (48) is extended by an auxiliary element (50) for connection to the complementary volume (13).