Syringe Disposal Device Single-Cycle Cutting and Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for disposing of used syringes in hospitals are unsafe due to the risk of secondary infection from needle splashing and contamination during manual separation and disposal, necessitating a more efficient and hygienic process for cutting, separation, and discharge.

Innovation Solution

A device utilizing a motor direct-coupling type driving method with a cutting body and rotating barrel unit to perform syringe transfer, cutting, and discharge in a single cycle, featuring a detachable cutting blade and replaceable components for enhanced safety and hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual needle removal is used in conventional syringe disposal, then the disposal process is simple, but the risk of secondary infection and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of syringe disposalVSAvoidcomplexity of disposal process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables automatic needle separation where the syringe barrel itself is rotated to bring the needle into contact with the cutting blade, eliminating the need for manual needle removal by healthcare workers. The system performs the separation task automatically through motor-driven rotation, ensuring safety while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade is designed to rotate together with the syringe barrel during the separation process, creating a dynamic cutting mechanism. This rotational movement ensures clean cutting of the needle while the blade maintains proper positioning throughout the operation, resolving the contradiction between safety and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If high-temperature melting and oxidation is used for syringe disposal, then secondary infection is prevented, but energy consumption and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of secondary infectionVSAvoidenergy consumption for disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the syringe into two distinct parts: the needle portion and the barrel. By cutting the needle at a specific location and allowing it to be discharged separately through the needle portion through-hole, the system eliminates the need for complete incineration or high-temperature processing of the entire syringe, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining infection prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dangerous needle component is extracted and removed from the syringe system through automatic cutting and separate discharge. This extraction isolates the biohazardous needle portion from the reusable barrel, preventing secondary infection through physical separation rather than requiring high-energy thermal processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If multiple steps are used for syringe transfer, cutting, and discharge, then each operation can be optimized, but the overall processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speed of syringe disposalVSAvoidnumber of operational steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges transfer, cutting, and discharge operations into a single integrated process. The motor unit rotates the syringe barrel through a predetermined angle, which simultaneously accomplishes positioning, cutting by the rotating blade, and discharge of both needle and barrel portions through designated openings. This consolidation achieves rapid processing without requiring multiple separate operational steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed components are used in the cutting device, then manufacturing is simpler, but hygiene and replaceability of contact surfaces deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of device constructionVSAvoidreplaceability of syringe-contact portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into replaceable segments: the cutting blade can be detached and replaced, and the barrel unit can be removed and sterilized separately. This segmentation allows critical contact surfaces to be replaced or sterilized independently while maintaining the overall structural simplicity of the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting blade is designed as a consumable component that can be discarded after use or after a certain number of operations, while the barrel unit can be recovered, sterilized, and reused. This approach balances manufacturing simplicity with hygiene requirements by allowing selective replacement of components based on their contamination risk and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS12121710B2Device for cutting, separation, and discharge of syringe

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 MUNE

AI summary

A device for cutting, separation, and discharge of a syringe according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a barrel unit, a main body including a driving unit configured to rotate the barrel unit, and a cutting body configured to cut a needle portion of a syringe during rotation of the barrel unit, wherein transfer of the syringe inserted into the barrel unit, cutting of the needle portion, discharge of the needle portion, and discharge of a syringe main body are performed by only one rotation of the barrel unit.