Syringe Barrel Grip Structure for Sterilization Gas Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing syringes require higher sterility, particularly for ophthalmic applications, as existing surface sterilization methods do not effectively cover the entire surface area including the grip attached to the syringe barrel.

Innovation Solution

A syringe barrel assembly with a grip that allows for wider contact with sterilization gas by incorporating airflow portions and reduced contact areas between the grip and the barrel, ensuring thorough sterilization without compromising structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the grip is firmly attached to the syringe barrel to prevent rattling and coming off, then the reliability of the assembly is improved, but the sterilization gas cannot contact the entire surface area including the grip, worsening the sterility achievement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidsterilization completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grip is divided into multiple segments with gaps between them, allowing sterilization gas to penetrate through and contact the barrel surface that would otherwise be obscured by a continuous grip structure. This segmentation maintains structural integrity while enabling comprehensive sterilization access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grip structure acts as an intermediary element that simultaneously provides mechanical attachment functionality and facilitates gas flow. By designing the grip with through-holes and gaps, it mediates between the conflicting requirements of firm attachment and sterilization gas penetration, allowing both functions to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the grip structure is designed to allow wide contact with sterilization gas, then the sterility achievement is improved, but the structural integrity and firm attachment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization completenessVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the grip structure have different properties: the outer surfaces provide structural strength and attachment functionality, while the inner regions with through-holes and gaps facilitate gas flow. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and sterilization gas penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The grip is designed with a porous-like structure containing multiple through-holes and gaps that allow sterilization gas to pass through. This porous configuration enables comprehensive gas contact with the barrel surface while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the distributed hole pattern and material distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Data Source

PatentEP4079349B1Syringe-barrel grip, barrel assembly, and syringe
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 TERUMO KK
  • EP4079349B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4079349B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4079349B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A grip for a syringe barrel to be attached to a syringe barrel that includes a tubular body, and a flange provided on the tubular body and projecting outward, includes a flange receiving portion configured to receive the flange, and a side wall portion extending in a distal end direction from the flange receiving portion and configured to partially cover a proximal end portion of the tubular body adjacent to the flange. The side wall portion includes a fitting portion configured to be fitted to the proximal end portion of the tubular body, and an airflow portion configured to allow a sterilization gas to flow to an outer surface of the tubular body covered by the side wall portion.