Trigger-Operated Veterinary Syringe for Intramammary Injections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional veterinary syringes used for administering intramammary antibiotics to large herds are awkward to hold, difficult to maneuver, and prone to contamination, leading to user fatigue and increased risk of infection due to their bulkiness and lack of sterility.
Innovation Solution
A syringe cartridge dispensing device with a trigger mechanism that allows for easy handling and automatic indexing of multiple cartridges, featuring a plunger assembly that drives fluid from inclined cartridges, reducing manual strain and minimizing contamination risks through a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional syringes are used for multiple injections, then the device structure is simple, but user fatigue increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a handle assembly, a cartridge holder, and multiple replaceable cartridges. Each cartridge is a self-contained unit that can be independently replaced, allowing the main handle to remain while only the cartridge needs changing. This segmentation reduces user fatigue by eliminating the need to manipulate the entire syringe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the indexing mechanism, contains the sterilization system, and accommodates different cartridge types. The universal handle design allows various cartridges to be used with the same base unit, reducing the need for multiple complete syringe assemblies.
2Reliability
If traditional syringes are used for repeated treatments, then manufacturing cost is low, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cartridge is pre-sterilized and sealed in individual sterile packaging before use. The cartridge holder includes a sterilization system that activates sterilization barriers just before the cartridge is needed, ensuring sterility is maintained without requiring complex continuous sterilization of the entire device. This preliminary preparation of sterile components resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridges are designed as disposable single-use components that are discarded after one injection, eliminating cross-contamination risks. The expensive sterilization and sealing systems are applied only to these short-lived cartridges rather than the entire syringe assembly, making the sterility system economically viable while maintaining high reliability.
3Productivity
If manual syringe changing is performed frequently, then device simplicity is maintained, but treatment productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing mechanism automatically tracks which cartridge is currently in use and guides the operator to the next cartridge in sequence. The cartridge holder design includes automatic positioning features that align the next cartridge without requiring manual measurement or complex alignment procedures. This self-service functionality increases productivity while keeping operational complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing system maintains continuous tracking of cartridge usage status, allowing seamless transition from one cartridge to the next without interruption in the treatment workflow. The mechanical indexing mechanism ensures that the next cartridge is always ready and properly positioned, eliminating downtime between injections and maintaining continuous productive action.
4Ease of operation
If syringes are designed for compactness, then maneuverability improves, but visibility of the nozzle becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge holder and nozzle area incorporate transparent or translucent materials that allow visual tracking of the needle position and depth during injection. The compact handle maintains maneuverability while the localized transparency at critical areas (nozzle region) provides necessary visibility without adding overall device bulk.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trigger operated syringe (100) for intramammary injection of antibiotics has a fluid containing syringe cartridge (203) activated by a plunger (206) which is inserted into the syringe cartridge (203A) and expels fluid when the trigger (205) is pulled. The plunger moves in a direction which is effectively perpendicular to the direction of movement of the trigger, allowing for ease of injection to a cow's teats, and ejection of the spent cartridges. The invention concerns a syringe cartridge strip for use with a syringe cartridge applicator, wherein the syringe cartridge strip comprises a base portion and a plurality of spaced apart syringe cartridges, wherein the base portion is adapted to connect to said plurality of spaced apart syringe cartridges, each syringe cartridge having (a) a body adapted to contain a fluid for dispensing, a dispensing end adapted to allow the fluid to be expelled from the body, and a non-dispensing end adapted to allow a plunger or other mechanism of the syringe cartridge applicator to contact or engage therewith to drive the fluid from the syringe cartridge.