Syringe Flow-Directing Mechanism for Multi-Component Material Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringes for dispensing multi-component materials, particularly in dentistry, face issues with unintended mixing and storage challenges, such as material hardening and deterioration, especially in small-size unit-dose syringes used for intra-oral applications.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design featuring a flow-directing mechanism with independent venting outlets and upstanding collars for loading and sealing, allowing for separate compartment filling and storage, preventing premature mixing and facilitating easy handling and re-closure of supply cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the syringe cartridge compartments are filled from supply cartridge outlets, then the filling process is simplified, but unintended mixing of materials from different compartments may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe cartridge is divided into separate compartments with independent filling pathways. Each compartment has its own entry port that can be selectively connected to corresponding supply cartridge outlets, allowing materials to be filled separately without mixing. The flow-directing mechanism segments the flow paths to prevent cross-contamination between compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow-directing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the supply cartridge outlets and syringe cartridge compartments. This mechanism includes venting outlets and flow-directing elements that control material flow, preventing unintended mixing by directing materials through separate pathways while still enabling simplified filling from supply cartridges.
2Reliability
If the syringe is designed for immediate use only, then material mixing is prevented, but temporary storage capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe design incorporates a dynamic flow-directing mechanism that can switch between different operational states: a venting position for temporary storage where compartments are sealed and vented independently, and a dispensing position for immediate use where compartments are connected to the mixing outlet. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt between storage and usage modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its flow parameters and connectivity configuration based on operational mode. In storage mode, the flow-directing mechanism closes off the dispensing pathway and opens venting pathways, maintaining material separation. In dispensing mode, the pathways are reconfigured to enable material flow to the mixing outlet, transforming the system from storage to active dispensing state.
3Ease of operation
If the syringe cartridge is small-size for intra-oral applications, then ease of manipulation is improved, but filling and venting control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-directing mechanism integrates multiple functions into a single compact component: it controls filling from supply cartridges, manages venting of excess material, prevents unintended mixing, and enables switching between storage and dispensing modes. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed in the small-size syringe cartridge.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-directing mechanism serves multiple purposes: it acts as a filling valve, a venting valve, a mixing control, and a mode-switching mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the compact syringe to achieve complex control capabilities without proportionally increasing its size or component count.
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe (1) for dispensing a multi-component material comprises: a syringe cartridge (3) having a first end and a second end, and respective compartments (5, 7) for components of the multi-component material; a static mixer (9) connected to the first end of the cartridge, the mixer having a dispensing outlet (11); and a plunger assembly (13) that is movable into the syringe cartridge at the second end to dispense material from the first end. The connection (21) between the static mixer (9) and the first end of the syringe cartridge (3) comprises a flow-directing mechanism having a venting position in which the cartridge compartments (5, 7) are cut off from the static mixer and are in communication independently with respective venting outlets, and a dispensing position in which the cartridge compartments are in communication with the static mixer and are cut off from the venting outlets. The syringe cartridge (3) is formed, at one end, with entry ports (16, 18) through which components of the multi-component material can be loaded into the compartments from a supply cartridge (40, Fig. 5). The entry ports (16, 18) have upstanding collars (49, 51, Fig. 5) for sealing to respective outlets (47, Fig. 5) of the supply cartridge (40), at least a portion of each upstanding collar being formed to be located inside the respective outlet of the supply cartridge, whereby material is removed from within the outlets when the syringe is removed from the supply cartridge.