Telescopic Vial Adapter for Infusion Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid transfer devices for infusion liquid containers and discrete injection vials require early preparation of medicated infusion liquids, which can lead to delays and potential wastage if the medication is no longer needed, as they often puncture the vial stopper during initial preparation.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a liquid transfer device with an integral telescopic vial adapter featuring a safety catch mechanism and clamping arrangement, allowing for non-punctured vial detachment using a pincers-like tool, preventing unnecessary vial wastage and enabling authorized personnel to manage the vial release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vial stopper is punctured during initial preparation, then liquid transfer can be established, but vial wastage occurs if medication is no longer needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreparation efficiencyVSAvoidvial wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The vial adapter incorporates a telescopic mechanism that transitions between extended and retracted states. In the retracted state, the puncturing element remains disengaged from the vial stopper, allowing the vial to be detached without puncture. This dynamic structure enables the system to adapt between preparation mode (puncture enabled) and storage/transport mode (puncture prevented), thereby eliminating vial wastage while maintaining preparation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The safety catch mechanism is pre-configured to prevent inadvertent compaction of the telescopic vial adapter. By establishing this protective condition before actual use, the system ensures that vial puncture only occurs when intentionally activated by authorized personnel, preventing premature or accidental vial wastage during preparation, storage, or transport phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If early preparation of medicated infusion liquid is performed, then administration time is reduced, but vial wastage increases if medication is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadministration delayVSAvoidvial wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic telescopic mechanism allows the system to be prepared in advance (with vial attached in extended state) without committing to puncture. The vial can be quickly activated by retracting the adapter when needed, or easily detached without puncture if not needed, thus eliminating both administration delay and vial wastage simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of vial integrity from 'punctured' to 'non-punctured' based on actual administration need. By controlling whether the telescopic adapter is retracted or extended, the system can maintain vial integrity during early preparation phases and only puncture when actual administration is required, thereby resolving the contradiction between preparation timing and vial wastage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If the vial adapter is made telescopic with safety catch, then vial integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevial wastageVSAvoidadapter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic vial adapter employs a nested structure where the inner adapter component is housed within the outer adapter body. The puncturing element is nested within the telescopic mechanism, which itself is nested within the vial adapter housing. This nesting arrangement compactly integrates multiple functions (attachment, puncture control, safety catch) into a single integrated component, minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining vial integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Loss of substance

If non-punctured vial detachment is enabled, then vial wastage is reduced, but ease of operation decreases due to safety catch mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevial wastageVSAvoidvial release

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The safety catch mechanism is designed to be automatically engaged when the telescopic adapter is in the retracted (non-puncturing) position. This self-activating feature eliminates the need for additional manual steps to secure the vial, making the protective function as easy to obtain as the basic adapter operation itself, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preventing vial wastage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11786443B2Liquid transfer device with integral telescopic vial adapter for use with infusion liquid container and discrete injection vial

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 WEST PHARM SERVICES IL LTD

AI summary

Liquid transfer devices with an integral telescopic vial adapter for use with an infusion liquid container and an initially non-punctured intact discrete injection vial. The integral telescopic vial adapter is configured for initial telescopic snap mounting on a discrete injection vial leaving its injection vial stopper non-punctured until a subsequent compaction for puncturing the injection vial stopper. The integral telescopic vial adapter includes a safety catch mechanism for precluding advertent compaction from a pre-compacted state to a compacted state. The integral telescopic vial adapter includes a clamping arrangement for irreversibly clamping same in its final compacted state.