Syringe With Retractable Plunger And Protective Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulin syringes require frequent drawing of insulin from a vial for each injection, leading to inconvenience, increased risk of needle stick injuries, and the need to carry the vial at all times, while prefilled syringes have limitations in storage, shipping, and cannot be filled with multiple medications.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design that allows for a single filling for daily use, with a plunger rod that can be set in a depressed position, enabling the syringe to be carried without exposing the needle and allowing for storage and shipping without leakage, and the ability to mix two medications within the syringe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the plunger rod is fully retracted for storage, then the syringe can be compact for carrying and storage, but the needle remains exposed increasing needle stick injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is divided into two functional segments: a barrel containing the plunger rod and a separate protective cap. The protective cap can be attached to cover the needle when not in use, allowing the syringe to be compact for storage while protecting against needle stick injuries. When needed, the cap is removed and the plunger rod is extended for injection.
2Ease of operation
If the plunger rod is extended for injection, then the syringe is ready for use, but the needle is exposed increasing needle stick injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is pre-attached to the syringe barrel, providing immediate needle protection when the syringe is removed from storage. This preliminary protective action eliminates the need for users to manually cover the needle after each use, reducing needle stick injury risk while maintaining injection readiness when the cap is removed.
3Device complexity
If conventional syringes are used for each injection, then the syringe can be simple in design, but the user must carry the insulin vial and draw insulin multiple times per day
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is pre-filled with insulin solution before leaving the manufacturing facility or clinic. This preliminary filling action eliminates the need for users to carry insulin vials and perform multiple drawing operations throughout the day. The pre-filled syringe is ready for immediate injection, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining design simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If prefilled syringes are stored with the plunger rod extended, then the syringe is ready for injection, but the syringe requires additional storage space and the tip must be capped to prevent leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe system is segmented into a barrel, a movable plunger rod, and a protective cap. The plunger rod can be retracted into the barrel for compact storage, while the protective cap provides needle coverage and prevents leakage when the syringe is not in use. When injection is needed, the cap is removed and the plunger rod is extended, providing injection readiness without requiring excessive storage space.
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe assembly having a barrel for storing a medication and a stopper positioned within the barrel and having an opening, the stopper separating the proximal and distal sections of the barrel. A plunger is movable axially within the barrel. A cover extends radially from the plunger, the cover movable within the barrel from an open position to a closed position, wherein in the open position the cover exposes the opening in the stopper to enable the medication to flow within the barrel from the proximal section to the distal section and in the closed position the cover covers the opening to prevent the flow of medication from the proximal to the distal section.