Adjustable Syringe Dosage Limiter with Locking Barrel Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering liquid medication using syringes are prone to inaccuracies due to poor visibility of dosage gradients, unfamiliarity with metric measurements, and memory issues, leading to incorrect dosages being administered.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable dosage limiting device that attaches to a syringe, allowing users to set and lock a specific dosage limit, ensuring that only the preset amount of medication is delivered by restricting the plunger's extraction distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a syringe with gradient markings is used for medication administration, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the dosage precision is poor due to visibility and user understanding issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (dosage limiter) that attaches to the syringe to provide precise dosage control. This intermediary component acts as a mediator between the simple syringe and the required dosage precision, allowing the syringe to remain simple while achieving accurate dosing through the added mechanism with movable indicator and dosage markings.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosage control function is segmented into a separate adjustable component that can be independently set and locked. The dosage limiter is divided into distinct functional parts including the movable indicator, dosage markings, and locking mechanism, allowing precise dosage selection without complicating the basic syringe structure.
2Reliability
If the syringe plunger is freely movable to allow complete extraction, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of dosage limitation is poor due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a locking mechanism that prevents the plunger from being pulled beyond the prescribed dosage mark. This preemptive constraint counteracts the natural tendency of users to overdraw medication, providing reliable dosage limitation while maintaining ease of use through simple lock/unlock operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable indicator on the dosage limiter provides visual feedback to the user, showing the current plunger position relative to the prescribed dosage markings. This feedback mechanism guides the user to stop at the correct dosage point, improving reliability without significantly increasing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dosage limiter is made adjustable to accommodate different dosages, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the dosage limiter adjustable rather than fixed. The movable indicator can be repositioned along the barrel to match different dosage requirements, and the locking mechanism allows the selected position to be secured. This dynamic adjustability provides versatility for various dosages while keeping the adjustment process simple and intuitive.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable dosage limiting device includes a member that interfaces to a plunger flange of a syringe and a barrel loop that slides along a barrel of the syringe. A locking mechanism, when engaged, fixes a distance between the member that interfaces to a plunger flange and the barrel loop, and hence, locks the barrel loop in place with respect to the plunger flange. Once locked in place, the adjustable dosage limiting device limits a dosage provided by the syringe based upon a distance between the member that interfaces to a plunger flange and the barrel loop as set by the locking mechanism.