Vacuum Syringe Auto-Locking Plunger for Clot Aspiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing syringes require user input to lock and unlock the plunger, complicating the process of establishing and maintaining vacuum pressure for clot removal, which can lead to delays in reestablishing blood flow and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A syringe with an automatic-locking and automatic-unlocking mechanism that locks the plunger under vacuum and unlocks when pressure is released, simplifying the clot removal procedure by eliminating the need for user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user-operated locking mechanism is used to maintain vacuum pressure in the syringe, then the vacuum can be maintained during clot aspiration, but the device complexity increases and procedural efficiency decreases due to required user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically engages with the plunger shaft when vacuum pressure is applied during clot aspiration, and automatically disengages when vacuum is released. This self-activating mechanism eliminates the need for manual user intervention to lock or unlock the plunger, thereby maintaining vacuum pressure reliably while reducing device complexity and improving procedural efficiency
2Reliability
If manual locking and unlocking operations are required, then vacuum pressure can be controlled, but the time to reestablish blood flow increases due to user input delays
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured to automatically engage when vacuum pressure is applied, eliminating the need for preliminary manual locking actions. Similarly, the unlocking mechanism is pre-configured to automatically disengage when vacuum is released, eliminating delays in reestablishing blood flow. This preliminary configuration of automatic responses to pressure changes resolves the time loss issue while maintaining reliable vacuum control
3Productivity
If automatic locking based on vacuum pressure is implemented, then procedural efficiency increases and user intervention is eliminated, but the device complexity increases due to the automatic unlocking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic unlocking mechanism utilizes the existing vacuum pressure differential to automatically disengage the locking components when vacuum is released. The plunger shaft and locking components are designed to automatically reset to their initial positions based on pressure changes, eliminating the need for complex external unlocking mechanisms while maintaining high procedural efficiency
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
Facilitates efficient and streamlined clot removal by automatically adjusting the plunger position based on vacuum presence, enhancing procedural efficiency and reducing the risk of tissue damage from prolonged occlusions.
Implementation Method 1
When the plunger assembly is withdrawn through the barrel with vacuum in the barrel, the seal assembly is configured to move away from the handle assembly to permit locking of the plunger assembly to the locking assembly
Implementation Method 2
The spring assembly is configured to bias the seal assembly to the handle assembly
Implementation Method 3
The locking assembly is configured to prevent movement of the plunger assembly through the barrel when the plunger assembly is locked to the locking assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are automatic-locking and automatic-unlocking syringes, and associated systems and methods. In some embodiments, a syringe can include a barrel, a plunger assembly slidably positioned within the barrel, and a locking assembly coupled to the barrel. The syringe is configured to (i) automatically lock the plunger assembly to the locking assembly when the plunger assembly is withdrawn through the barrel with a vacuum in the barrel, (ii) automatically unlock the plunger assembly from the locking assembly when the barrel no longer experiences vacuum and/or experiences negligible vacuum, and/or (iii) inhibit or even prevent automatic locking of the plunger assembly to the locking assembly when the plunger assembly is withdrawn through the barrel with no and/or negligible vacuum within the barrel.