Vial Shield Sealing Valve for Drug Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors used for transferring drugs from vial bottles to drug solution bags face challenges in preventing drug and drug solution escape to the outside environment due to positive pressure and adherence issues when piercing the stopper with a needle.
Innovation Solution
A vial shield is designed to cover the stopper of a vial bottle, featuring a shield main body with an annular top plate, legs, claws, and a valve element with a cut that forms a sealed space to reduce drug and solution escape during piercing and withdrawal of the needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a piercing needle is used to pierce the stopper for connecting to the vial bottle, then the connector can be connected to the vial bottle and drug solution bag, but drug and drug solution may escape to the outside environment through gaps between the stopper and piercing needle
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing needle is equipped with a cover that acts as an intermediary barrier between the piercing needle and the external environment. This cover prevents drug and drug solution from escaping through the gap between the stopper and piercing needle, while still allowing the piercing operation to proceed normally.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is pre-installed on the piercing needle before the piercing operation begins. This preliminary protective measure prevents drug escape from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to address the problem after it arises during or after piercing.
2Productivity
If the piercing needle is withdrawn from the stopper after drug solution extraction, then the extraction process is completed, but drug solution may adhere to the outer surface of the withdrawn piercing needle and the stopper region around the hole
Solution Approach 1:
The cover serves as an intermediary barrier that prevents drug solution from adhering to the outer surface of the piercing needle and the stopper region around the hole. By maintaining this barrier during the withdrawal process, drug solution contamination is prevented while extraction efficiency is maintained.
3Reliability
If positive pressure is created within the vial bottle due to drug volatility, then the drug may escape to the outside environment through the gap between stopper and piercing needle, but the connector design should maintain connection stability
Solution Approach 1:
The cover acts as a pressure-resistant intermediary barrier that prevents drug and vapor from escaping through the gap between the stopper and piercing needle, even when positive pressure is created within the vial bottle due to drug volatility. The connection stability is maintained while the cover blocks the harmful escape path.
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 vial shield effectively minimizes drug and solution escape to the outside environment by creating a sealed space between the valve element and the stopper, preventing leakage and adherence, thus enhancing safety during drug handling.
Implementation Method 1
a valve element that blocks an opening at the center of the top plate... a cut passing through the valve element in a vertical direction is formed in the valve element
Data Source
AI summary
A vial shield (1) has a shield main body (10) and a valve element (20). The shield main body (10) includes an annular top plate (11) that is to be laid on top of an upper surface of a stopper (86) that seals a mouth (83) of the vial bottle (80), a plurality of legs (15) extending downward from the top plate (11), and a plurality of claws (16) provided in the plurality of legs (15), the claws being engageable with the mouth (83) of the vial bottle (80). The valve element (20) blocks an opening at the center (12) of the top plate (11). A cut (22) passing through the valve element (20) in a vertical direction is formed in the valve element (20).