Syringe Fill Verification Using Illuminated Fluid Recognition Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical fluid injection systems struggle to accurately detect the presence of air in syringes, particularly under low light conditions, and differentiate between different types of fluids, which poses safety risks and complicates workflow.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design with a transparent or translucent plunger and angled distal end that forms an illuminated identification pattern when filled with fluid, allowing visual or sensor-based verification, and a system that uses electromagnetic radiation to create a distinctive pattern visible from various angles, combined with image processing to confirm syringe contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional syringe design is used without special illumination features, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to detect air presence and differentiate fluids under low light conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe employs an illuminated identification pattern that changes appearance based on fluid presence and type. When the syringe is filled with fluid, electromagnetic radiation passes through the translucent plunger to illuminate a specific pattern on the distal end, creating distinct visual signatures for different fluid states and types, enabling reliable detection without complex additional components
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent plunger material serves as an intermediary element that transmits electromagnetic radiation to illuminate the identification pattern. This mediator enables the detection function by allowing light to pass through selectively, creating the illuminated pattern that reveals fluid presence and type while maintaining a relatively simple syringe structure
2Productivity
If the syringe is viewed from a distance or quickly, then workflow efficiency improves, but the ability to verify fluid presence and differentiate fluid types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The identification pattern is designed to be viewed from multiple angles and distances. The pattern's illumination creates a visual signature that maintains its discriminatory power whether viewed up close or from a distance, allowing rapid verification without sacrificing identification accuracy through multi-dimensional viewing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Different fluid types produce distinct illuminated patterns with varying characteristics that are easily distinguishable even at a glance. The pattern's visual properties change based on fluid presence and type, enabling quick and accurate differentiation during rapid workflow operations
3Ease of operation
If clear medical fluids are used in translucent syringes, then the syringe remains visually simple, but the ability to distinguish between fluid and air deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminated identification pattern creates distinct visual signatures that differentiate fluid from air. When fluid is present, it transmits electromagnetic radiation to illuminate the pattern in a specific way, creating a visual contrast that makes fluid-air differentiation easy despite the visual simplicity of clear fluids in translucent syringes
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic radiation acts as an intermediary that reveals the presence and type of fluid by illuminating the identification pattern. This mediator enables easy differentiation between fluid and air states while maintaining the visual simplicity of using clear medical fluids in translucent syringes
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
Enables safe and efficient verification of syringe filling, preventing air injections and facilitating accurate fluid differentiation, thereby enhancing safety and workflow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plunger slideably disposed in the syringe barrel and configured to advance through the barrel to expel a fluid therefrom. The plunger comprises a transparent or translucent material configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation therethrough such that an illuminated identification pattern is formed
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic radiation source positioned to emit electromagnetic radiation through at least a portion of the syringe such that, when the syringe is filled with the fluid, at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation is affected by an interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with at least one interface associated with the fluid and the syringe to form an illuminated identification pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid injection system and a fluid verification system for confirming that a syringe, containing a fluid for injection, is fully filled with fluid and neither has free space (i.e., air) near the distal end thereof when the syringe is provided in an upright position nor contains air bubbles. Imaging processing techniques and systems are also provided to determine various injection parameters and to verify the type and certain properties of fluid that is present within a syringe.