Vial Interface Adapter for Contamination-Free Fluid Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interface devices for connecting fluid injection instruments to vials in oncology settings are ergonomically challenging, prone to contamination risks, and inefficient in fluid sampling, particularly due to issues with air circulation and filtration, leading to safety hazards for healthcare staff.
Innovation Solution
An interface device with a base comprising a first conduit for fixing to the vial, a second conduit for gas circulation, and a third conduit for fluid injection, featuring a movable tube with distal and proximal orifices that open into the vial for efficient gas and fluid management, enhancing ergonomics and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a needle is inserted through the elastomeric membrane stopper to inject fluid, then fluid injection is achieved, but air enters the vial causing contamination and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (adapter with hub and membrane) between the needle/syringe and the vial stopper. This adapter includes a puncturable membrane that allows fluid injection while maintaining a sealed interface, preventing air ingress and contamination that would occur with direct needle insertion through the stopper.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter component appears to be designed as a disposable element that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures while ensuring complete contamination prevention. This aligns with the principle of using inexpensive, single-use components to solve contamination problems.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vial is shaken to mix medication with infusion fluid, then thorough mixing is achieved, but air enters and exits the bottle causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter with its sealed membrane interface acts as an intermediary that allows the vial to be shaken and mixed while maintaining a closed system. The membrane-sealed hub prevents air from entering during agitation, enabling thorough mixing without the contamination risks associated with open systems.
3Ease of operation
If the needle is disconnected from the syringe after use, then the procedure is completed, but pricking hazard occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter hub serves as an intermediary connection point between the syringe needle and the vial. After injection, the needle can be safely disconnected from the hub without requiring disconnection from the vial itself, eliminating the pricking hazard while completing the procedure.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If air circulation means with filtration are used to prevent contamination, then safety is improved, but the device becomes complex with many parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex air circulation and filtration system from the interface device, replacing it with a simpler sealed membrane adapter that prevents contamination through physical sealing rather than active filtration. This reduces device complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a disposable sealed adapter instead of a complex reusable filtration system, the patent simplifies the device structure while ensuring contamination prevention. The disposable nature eliminates the need for complex cleaning and maintenance procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an interfacing device (1) for establishing a connection between a fluid-injection instrument (2) and a flask (3), said device comprising: fluid flow means (10, 40) configured such as to open into the flask (3) to be perforated when the interfacing device (1) is attached to the flask (3) to be perforated (3); and a distal opening (42) allowing the flow of gases and a proximal opening (11) allowing the flow of liquids.