Medical Syringe Flat Indicia and Needle Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical syringes face design deficiencies such as difficulty in reading volumetric markings on small-diameter barrels, obstructed dosage scales by needle shields, increased dead space, and high production costs, which can lead to medical errors and inefficiencies, especially in low-dose syringe applications.
Innovation Solution
A safety syringe design featuring an injection-molded plastic body with integrally molded, flat indicia display surfaces, a needle holder, and a longitudinally extending needle safety shield that allows for efficient molding and reduced production costs, along with a plunger assembly that includes an elastomeric seal and a selectively releasable cap to minimize dead space and prevent needle sticks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If volumetric markings are applied to the outside surface of small-diameter barrels, then the syringe can display dosage information, but the markings become difficult to read and are obscured by needle shields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions dosage markings from the curved outside surface of the barrel to flat indicia display surfaces located on the finger flange or collar. This dimensional relocation provides a flat, accessible surface that is not obscured by the needle shield during injection, solving the readability problem while utilizing available space efficiently.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If needle shields or guards are rotated into place following injection, then users are protected from accidental needle sticks, but the shields block significant portions of the dosage scale and indicia
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating indicia from the barrel's outside surface to flat surfaces on the finger flange or collar, the patent ensures that dosage markings remain visible and accessible even when the needle shield is in the post-injection position. The flat surfaces are positioned such that they do not interfere with the needle shield's movement or visibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If longitudinally extending hubs or slidable safety elements are added to protect against needle sticks, then user safety is improved, but the overall length of the syringe increases and dead space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the safety shield functionality into the existing syringe structure, combining the needle protection function with the finger flange or collar components. This merging approach provides needle stick protection without requiring separate longitudinally extending hubs, thereby minimizing dead space and maintaining efficient use of the syringe volume.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If complex safety mechanisms like retractable needles are implemented, then needle stick protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, disposable safety shield mechanism that provides effective needle stick protection without the complexity of retractable needles. The shield is designed as a single-use component that is easy to manufacture and dispose of, reducing both manufacturing complexity and production costs while maintaining safety functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety syringe for medical use is disclosed as having an injection-molded body with a tubular barrel having a finger flange projecting transversely from the barrel near a proximal end of the barrel and a cylindrical collar projecting rearwardly from the finger flange to the proximal end of the barrel. A plunger assembly includes a plunger handle end cap and an elastomeric plunger seal insertable into the barrel through a rearwardly facing opening in the cylindrical collar to slidably engage the cylindrical inside wall of the barrel. A cylindrical elastomeric bushing is frictionally engaged around an outside wall of the cylindrical collar, and a selectively removable plunger cap frictionally engages the cylindrical elastomeric bushing. A safety syringe may also include a needle safety device.