Vented Syringe Adapter Bulb Air Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional syringe adapters are not compatible with gravity infusions and require complex workflows to prime IV sets, leading to delays and errors in medical fluid administration.

Innovation Solution

A syringe adapter with a bulb in fluid communication, allowing air displacement and medical fluid draw, simplifying the priming process by enabling gravity infusion and reducing workflow steps through a coupling mechanism with a vent channel for air flow and a deformable bulb for fluid displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid syringe structure is used, then the syringe maintains structural integrity, but air must be introduced to replace fluid being pulled, complicating the infusion process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinfusion process

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The syringe adapter is divided into separate functional components: a rigid syringe body for structural integrity, a collapsible bulb for air displacement, and a vent channel for air intake. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bulb acts as an intermediary component between the rigid syringe and the IV set. It temporarily holds air and fluid, displacing air from the fluid channel and enabling smooth transition during infusion, thereby mediating between the rigid syringe structure and the requirements for easy fluid delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional syringe adapters are used, then the setup is simple, but complex workflows are required to prime IV sets, leading to delays and errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadapter structureVSAvoidpriming time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bulb is pre-filled with air and fluid before connection to the IV set. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming priming procedures after connection, as the bulb is already prepared to deliver fluid immediately upon activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The syringe adapter with bulb is designed to be self-priming. The bulb automatically displaces air and draws fluid into the fluid channel when activated, eliminating the need for manual priming steps and reducing both time and operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If air is not displaced from the fluid channel, then the syringe structure remains simple, but gravity infusion cannot occur efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid channel structureVSAvoidgravity infusion efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bulb utilizes pneumatic principles to displace air from the fluid channel. By collapsing and expanding the bulb, air is sucked into the syringe and fluid is pushed through the fluid channel, enabling efficient gravity infusion without complex valve mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The bulb serves as an intermediary that temporarily holds air and fluid, displacing air from the fluid channel and enabling smooth transition during infusion. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system while improving gravity infusion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The syringe adapter facilitates straightforward operation, allowing for efficient gravity infusion and simplified priming of IV sets, reducing preparation time and minimizing errors in medical fluid administration.

Implementation Method 1

displacing air from a fluid channel of the syringe adapter into the syringe by collapsing a bulb coupled to the syringe adapter; and drawing medical fluid from the syringe into the fluid channel of the syringe adapter by expanding the bulb

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a vent channel in fluid communication with the syringe and configured to permit air flow into the syringe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir displacement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20240424226A1Vented syringe adapter with bulb

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 CAREFUSION 303 INC

AI summary

Syringe adapters are described herein. A syringe adapter includes an adapter body, a coupling portion, and a bulb. The adapter body defines a fluid channel in fluid communication with the syringe and configured to permit medical fluid flow from the syringe through the syringe adapter and a vent channel in fluid communication with the syringe and configured to permit air flow into the syringe. The coupling portion defines an adapter portion configured to be coupled to the adapter body and a syringe portion configured to be coupled to the syringe. The bulb is coupled to the adapter body and defines a bulb volume that is in fluid communication with the fluid channel and is movable between a collapsed configuration configured to displace air from the bulb volume and the fluid channel and an expanded configuration configured to draw medical fluid from the syringe into the fluid channel and bulb volume.