Syringe Connector for Medical Paste Reconstitution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing medical pastes, such as haemostatic compositions, are inefficient and prone to errors due to the need for manual measurement and mixing of components, which can lead to incorrect concentrations and compromised sterility, increasing the risk of blood loss and prolonging surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that pre-loads components into syringes and a connector element, allowing for sequential fluid connections to reconstitute bioactive agents directly in a syringe, eliminating the need for manual measurements and ensuring uniform mixing through a simple, efficient process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual measurement and mixing of components is used, then flexibility in preparation is maintained, but incorrect concentrations and insufficient mixing occur leading to compromised sterility and increased blood loss
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-loads precise amounts of haemostatic powder and liquid into separate cartridges before the surgical procedure. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual measurement and mixing during the surgery, ensuring correct concentrations while simplifying the operational process during the critical surgical phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary element that automatically combines the pre-loaded powder and liquid in precise ratios. This intermediary mechanism ensures uniform mixing and correct concentration without requiring the surgeon or assistant to manually measure and mix the components, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If components are mixed from separate containers, then sterility may be compromised, but uniform mixing is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the powder cartridge and liquid cartridge into a single integrated system that connects through a sterile barrier. The powder is transferred through a membrane into the liquid within the mixing chamber, combining both components while maintaining sterility throughout the process. This unified approach ensures both sterility maintenance and uniform mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterile barrier membrane serves as an intermediary that allows controlled transfer of liquid to the powder while maintaining sterility. This intermediary mechanism ensures that no external contamination occurs during mixing, while the controlled transfer process within the closed system guarantees uniform mixing of the components.
3Reliability
If mechanical agitation and mixing is performed, then uniform paste is formed, but time consumption increases causing surgeon interruption and increased blood loss
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary mixing actions during the loading phase, where the cartridges are pre-filled and pre-positioned. The actual mixing occurs automatically when the cartridges are connected and the liquid is transferred, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual agitation during the surgical procedure. This reduces preparation time while ensuring paste uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber is designed to automatically mix the powder and liquid through the fluid dynamics of the transfer process itself. The liquid flow through the sterile barrier and into the powder creates automatic agitation and mixing without requiring external mechanical intervention. This self-service mixing mechanism ensures uniform paste formation while minimizing preparation time and avoiding surgeon interruption.
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 approach enables rapid, reliable, and precise preparation of medical pastes with uniform bioactive agent distribution, reducing preparation time and minimizing blood loss during surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a connector element (6) configured for establishing sequential fluid connections between 1) the first syringe and the container, 2) the container and the second syringe, and 3) the first and second syringes, such that the liquid can be transferred from the first syringe to the container to reconstitute the bioactive agent
Implementation Method 2
pushing the piston of the first syringe, whereby the liquid is transferred from the first syringe to the container
Implementation Method 3
mixing the paste by alternately pushing the piston of the second syringe and the first syringe, such that the paste is transferred between the second and first syringes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention regards a device for reconstituting a bioactive agent and forming a paste, the device comprising:—a container (2) containing the bioactive agent,—a first syringe (4) containing a liquid,—a second syringe (5) containing a paste forming material,—a connector element (6) configured for establishing sequential fluid connections between 1) the first syringe and the container, 2) the container and the second syringe, and 3) the first and second syringes, such that the liquid can be transferred from the first syringe to the container to reconstitute the bioactive agent, whereupon the reconstituted bioactive agent can be transferred from the container into the second syringe to form a paste, and the paste can be transferred to the first syringe.