Vacuum-Driven Syringe for Automatic Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringes for mixing two substances, such as medicinal components, often require manual effort and lack precise control, leading to complex designs that are not user-friendly or efficient.
Innovation Solution
A syringe design featuring a barrel with a vacuum chamber for holding one substance and a plunger with a reservoir chamber for the other, where a membrane and pointed member are axially slidable, allowing for controlled mixing without manual force through vacuum aspiration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual movement is used to mix substances in multi-chamber syringes, then mixing can be achieved, but the design becomes overly complex and precise finishing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe uses the vacuum already present in the vacuum chamber to automatically draw the second substance from the reservoir chamber through the membrane, eliminating the need for manual mixing operations. The system serves itself by utilizing its own vacuum environment to perform the mixing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the complex manual mixing mechanism from the syringe design. By extracting the mixing function and replacing it with vacuum-driven automatic transfer, the design complexity is reduced while maintaining ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If electrical power is used to control mixing and injection, then precise control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces electrical control systems with a mechanical vacuum-driven system. The vacuum pressure differential naturally controls the transfer and mixing process, eliminating the need for electrical power while maintaining precise control through the physical properties of the vacuum environment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple chambers and mixing means are included in the syringe, then mixing capability is achieved, but the design requires precise finishing and becomes overly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible membrane as a separator between chambers that can be penetrated by a pointed member. This flexible film approach simplifies manufacturing compared to rigid multi-chamber designs, reducing the need for precise finishing while maintaining the ability to mix substances when needed.
4Weight of moving object
If a compact design is used with plunger as movable part, then weight and size are reduced, but control over mixing process may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The compact plunger design with integrated reservoir chamber serves multiple functions. The vacuum-driven automatic transfer mechanism eliminates the need for complex control operations, making the lightweight design as easy to operate as more complex designs while significantly reducing weight.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables compact, lightweight, and automatic mixing of substances with precise control, eliminating the need for manual movement and simplifying the design by using the plunger as the movable part.
Implementation Method 1
The syringe is configured such that an axial displacement of the plunger from a first position to a predefined second position in the barrel penetrates the membrane by the pointed member and establishes a fluid passageway between the reservoir chamber and the vacuum chamber. The vacuum in the vacuum chamber thereby aspirates the second substance into the vacuum chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe for mixing two substances which have been retained separately inside the syringe is described, for instance in a storage condition. The syringe is used for 1) retaining a dry composition in a vacuum, and 2) mixing the dry composition with an aqueous medium to form a flowable substance. One embodiment, a syringe for retaining and mixing first and second substances comprises a barrel comprising a sealable and/or closable distal outlet and a vacuum chamber for holding a first substance, a plunger incorporating a reservoir chamber for holding a second substance and configured to be axially displaced through a proximal end of the barrel, a membrane separating the vacuum chamber and the reservoir chamber, and a pointed member, such as one or more needles, for penetrating the membrane, wherein the syringe is configured such that the membrane and the pointed member are axially slidable in relation to each other.