Vial Removal Device with Dynamic Puncturing and Snap-Fit Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing fluids from vials sealed with septum seals often lead to unintentional puncturing during storage or handling, posing risks and complicating the filling of applicators like syringes, especially in medical applications where chemical purity and sterility are critical.
Innovation Solution
A device with a basic body, a hollow needle-like puncturing element, and a container holder featuring catch structures for secure snap connections to prevent unintentional puncturing, allowing vials to be stored without opening, and facilitating controlled fluid transfer to applicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vial is simply pressed into the device to puncture the septum, then the filling operation is simplified, but unintentional puncturing during storage or handling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic puncturing mechanism where the puncturing element is movable rather than fixed. The element can be positioned in a retracted state during storage to avoid accidental puncturing, and advanced to a protruding state during operation to perform the puncturing function. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device prepares the puncturing element in advance by positioning it in a safe retracted state before the filling operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the septum remains intact during storage and handling, while the puncturing capability is already prepared for immediate action when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and accidental puncturing prevention.
2Productivity
If the puncturing element is always positioned to puncture the septum, then the filling process is faster, but the septum is punctured during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The puncturing element's position is made dynamic, allowing it to be retracted during storage to prevent fluid loss and advanced during filling to maintain productivity. This dynamic positioning enables the system to achieve both fast filling speed and prevention of accidental fluid spilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies a preliminary anti-action by retracting the puncturing element before storage or handling operations that could cause accidental puncturing. This preventive positioning counteracts the potential harmful effect of accidental septum puncturing and fluid loss, while still allowing rapid filling when the element is advanced to the puncturing position.
3Reliability
If the vial is fixed securely in the device, then accidental puncturing is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container holder is segmented into functional zones: a reception area for the vial, a positioning mechanism for the puncturing element, and a fixation structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable accidental puncturing prevention without requiring the entire device to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces an intermediary fixation mechanism between the vial and the puncturing element. This intermediary structure securely holds the vial in place during storage and handling, preventing accidental puncturing, while being simple enough to avoid excessive device complexity. The intermediary acts as a buffer that enables reliable fixation with minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for removing a fluid from at least one container (300), from a vial for example, said container being closed by a closure (320) that can be punctured. The device comprises a base body (271) with a container receiving portion (272) and a hollow needle-like puncturing organ (277) in order to puncture the closure (320) of the container (300) in a removal position of the container (300). The aim of the invention is to enable mounting the container on the device without unintentionally puncturing the closure. This is achieved in that detent structures (274, 275) are provided which retain the container (300) on the device in a removal position and in a mounting position which is different from said removal position. Such a device can be used in particular to fill an applicator (280) with one or more fluid reservoirs from one or more vitals.