Syringe Cutter with Pivotable Blade for Centrifuge Specimen Prep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to efficiently cut the flanges and plunger from a syringe containing a specimen without risking contamination, cracking the syringe, or causing specimen degradation, especially when the syringe is chilled.
Innovation Solution
A device with a jig and pivotable blade system that supports the syringe, includes sensors for precise alignment and operation, and a pin mechanism for stable cutting, ensuring a clean cut without contaminating the specimen or cracking the syringe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional tools such as scissors or heavy-duty cutters are used to cut the flanges and plunger, then the cutting operation can be performed, but the syringe barrel may crack especially when chilled, and the specimen is at risk of contamination or degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized cutting device as an intermediary tool between the operator and the syringe. This device includes a support structure that holds the syringe barrel and a cutting mechanism that slices through the flanges and plunger. The intermediary device protects the specimen by containing the cutting action within a controlled environment, preventing contamination while reliably cutting through the syringe components even when chilled.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device separates the cutting function from the syringe handling function. The syringe is held in a support structure while a separate cutting mechanism performs the slicing operation. This segmentation allows the cutting action to be isolated and controlled, preventing direct contact between conventional cutting tools and the specimen-containing syringe, thereby eliminating the risk of cracking and contamination.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional tools are used to cut the syringe, then cutting can be performed, but the edges are rough and imperfect, preventing easy insertion into narrow centrifuge specimen holders
Solution Approach 1:
The specialized cutting device acts as an intermediary that provides a controlled cutting environment. The device includes a support structure that stabilizes the syringe during cutting and a sharp cutting mechanism that produces clean, precise edges. This intermediary tool eliminates the rough, imperfect edges produced by conventional tools, enabling seamless insertion into narrow centrifuge specimen holders.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple cuts are made with conventional tools to remove flanges and plunger, then the cutting can be completed, but the process is time-consuming and produces debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cutting functions into a single integrated device. The cutting mechanism is designed to simultaneously cut through both the flanges and the plunger in one operation, rather than requiring separate cutting steps. This merging of functions eliminates the time-consuming multiple cutting operations required by conventional tools and prevents debris from contaminating the specimen.
4Reliability
If the syringe is chilled for hypothermic procedures, then specimen preservation is achieved, but the syringe becomes more brittle and prone to cracking during cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device includes a support structure that cushions and stabilizes the syringe during the cutting operation. The support structure distributes the cutting forces evenly across the syringe barrel, preventing stress concentration that would cause cracking in chilled, brittle syringes. This beforehand cushioning allows safe cutting of chilled syringes while maintaining specimen preservation.
5Ease of operation
If the proximal end of the syringe with flanges and plunger is not cut off, then the syringe can be used for extraction and dispensing, but it cannot be properly inserted into centrifuge specimen holders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the syringe into two parts: the proximal end containing the flanges and plunger, and the distal end containing the specimen. The cutting device removes the proximal segment while preserving the distal segment with the specimen. This segmentation enables the specimen-containing portion to be inserted into centrifuge specimen holders, achieving adaptability while the removed proximal end retains its original functionality for extraction and dispensing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing a syringe containing a sample of whole blood for centrifuging comprising: providing a syringe having a barrel with a flange at a proximal end thereof and a tip at a distal end thereof, the tip having a lumen in fluid communication with the barrel, the barrel of the syringe containing a liquid specimen, the syringe having a plunger provided in the barrel and sealing the liquid specimen therein; providing a jig for supporting the proximal and distal ends of the syringe, the jig having a blade pivotably mounted therein, the blade having an open position in which the blade is retracted to permit insertion of the syringe, the blade having a cut position in which the blade cuts the syringe; pivoting the blade into the cut position such that the blade cuts the proximal end of the syringe with the flanges and the plunger.