Syringe Ejection Device for Automated Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of sterile filtration and bubble point testing for pharmaceuticals in syringes is labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring significant manual force and effort, especially for highly viscous fluids, and lacks adequate documentation for verifying the proper execution of the bubble point test.

Innovation Solution

A squeezing device for syringes that applies a continuous and controlled force to the plunger using a feed device actuated by an energy storage system, allowing for automated sterile filtration and bubble point testing with reduced manual effort and improved documentation through a sensor device for recording squeezing forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual force is applied to push the syringe plunger for sterile filtration, then the filtration process can be carried out, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration speedVSAvoidmanual effort required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device is pre-loaded with the syringe and configured before the actual filtration process begins. The device prepares the mechanical linkage and force application mechanism in advance, so that when activation occurs, the plunger is immediately and consistently pushed without requiring manual intervention during the actual filtration, thereby improving productivity while reducing ongoing manual effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ejection device is designed to automatically apply continuous force to the plunger without requiring sustained manual operation. Once activated, the device self-regulates the ejection process, maintaining consistent pressure and speed through its mechanical design, which eliminates the need for continuous human monitoring and adjustment, thus improving both productivity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If high force is applied to overcome filter resistance for highly viscous fluids, then filtration can be achieved, but the required force must be maintained for the entire duration of filtration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration completion timeVSAvoidsustained force on plunger
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device pre-configures the force application mechanism with appropriate spring tension or mechanical advantage ratios before filtration begins. This preliminary setup ensures that the exact force needed to overcome the filter resistance is immediately available and maintained consistently throughout the filtration process, eliminating the need for continuous manual force adjustment and reducing the time to complete filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates a mechanical system that dynamically adjusts force application based on the resistance encountered. The spring-loaded or cam-based mechanism automatically modulates the force on the plunger, providing higher initial force to overcome startup resistance and maintaining consistent force throughout filtration, thereby reducing total filtration time without requiring sustained high manual effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the bubble point test is performed manually, then filter integrity can be checked, but the execution cannot be properly documented or reproduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter integrity verificationVSAvoiddocumentation of test execution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection device incorporates sensors and measurement capabilities that continuously monitor and record parameters such as ejection force, plunger position, and filtration rate during the bubble point test. This feedback mechanism automatically captures the test execution data, providing objective documentation that can be stored and reproduced, thereby maintaining filter integrity verification reliability while eliminating information loss through manual recording errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces manual visual inspection and subjective assessment during the bubble point test with automated sensor-based detection systems. These sensors objectively measure filter integrity parameters and automatically record the results, substituting the unreliable human judgment and manual documentation with precise, reproducible electronic measurements, thus ensuring both reliability of verification and complete documentation.

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

Facilitates easier and more efficient sterile filtration and bubble point testing, reducing the effort required for highly viscous fluids and enhancing the documentation of the filtration process, ensuring reproducibility and proper execution.

Implementation Method 1

the high resistance of the syringe filter must be overcome, particularly in the case of highly viscous fluids. In order to generate a sufficiently high pressure in the syringe, the syringe plunger must be pushed with great force.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The filter in a syringe filter is usually formed by a membrane with a sufficiently small pore diameter, the material of which varies depending on the properties of the drug. When the drug is pushed through the syringe filter, microorganisms, especially bacteria, are filtered out of the drug.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

A squeezing device for syringes that applies a continuous and controlled force to the plunger using a feed device actuated by an energy storage system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3721923A1Ejection device for syringes
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 HEIDEN KLEMENS
  • EP3721923A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3721923A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3721923A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A syringe dispensing device (100) comprising a syringe cylinder (41) and a syringe plunger (42), a holder (30) for holding a syringe (40), wherein the holder (30) at least partially surrounds the syringe cylinder (41) of the syringe (40), a syringe end-pressure element (20) that engages the free end of the syringe plunger (42), wherein the syringe plunger (42) can be pressed by the syringe end-pressure element (20) to dispense the syringe (40), a feed device (10) for applying a continuous dispensing force to the syringe end-pressure element (20) to dispense the syringe (40), wherein the feed device (10) advances the syringe end-pressure element (20), and an actuating device (50) for actuating the feed device (10).