Syringe Barrel Optical Detection Eliminates Flex Ring Wear

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical injection systems face issues with frequent wear and leakage, leading to misreadings and health risks due to the need for frequent flex ring replacement and exposure to fluid pressure, which can damage equipment and pose health hazards.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a syringe barrel with a base portion that reflects light signals radially using reflective ramps, eliminating the need for flex ring engagement and reducing fluid exposure through a fascia that covers the injector head, and uses a magnetic switch to activate the sensor, allowing for consistent syringe identification and reduced leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the syringe engages the flex ring for activation, then the injection system can be triggered, but wear increases and frequent replacement is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation reliabilityVSAvoidflex ring service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical flex ring engagement system with an optical detection system. The syringe barrel incorporates light-reflecting features that interact with a light source and sensor in the injection system, eliminating the need for mechanical engagement through the flex ring. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable activation detection while eliminating wear on the flex ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the syringe and the injection system's sensor. The light-reflecting features on the syringe barrel modulate the light signal, which is then detected by the sensor to trigger activation. This intermediary approach eliminates direct mechanical contact between the syringe and the injection system, preventing wear on the flex ring while maintaining reliable activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If high pressure is applied to the fluid in the syringe, then injection force is sufficient, but liquid leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection forceVSAvoidliquid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical flex ring engagement system with an optical detection system. The syringe barrel incorporates light-reflecting features that interact with a light source and sensor in the injection system, eliminating the need for mechanical engagement through the flex ring. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable activation detection while eliminating wear on the flex ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the syringe and the injection system's sensor. The light-reflecting features on the syringe barrel modulate the light signal, which is then detected by the sensor to trigger activation. This intermediary approach eliminates direct mechanical contact between the syringe and the injection system, preventing wear on the flex ring while maintaining reliable activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the injection system automatically activates when the syringe is inserted, then operation is simplified, but errors and misreadings occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation simplicityVSAvoidsyringe detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical properties (analogous to color changes) of the syringe barrel through light-reflecting features with specific patterns. These features reflect light in predetermined patterns that are detected by the sensor, providing accurate and reliable syringe identification and activation signals without the errors associated with automatic mechanical activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical flex ring engagement system with an optical detection system. The syringe barrel incorporates light-reflecting features that interact with a light source and sensor in the injection system, eliminating the need for mechanical engagement through the flex ring. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable activation detection while eliminating wear on the flex ring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution reduces wear and leakage, enhances user experience with consistent syringe identification, and minimizes health risks by eliminating the need for frequent flex ring replacement and protecting the injector head from fluid exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The reflective ramps have predetermined sizes and positions to reflect light signals radially away from the barrel body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

uses a magnetic switch to activate the sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11154653B2Syringe barrel and syringe-confirmation assembly

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A syringe barrel includes a barrel body having a passage extending along a longitudinal axis between a tip opening and a load opening. The passage is configured to permit a plunger to advance therethrough along the longitudinal axis for driving a liquid through the tip opening. The barrel body includes a base portion that is configured to operably engage an injection system. The base portion has a body surface that is shaped to form a light-propagating space alongside the body surface. The light-propagating space extends to reflective ramps of the body surface. The reflective ramps have predetermined sizes and positions to reflect light signals radially away from the barrel body.