Viscous Material Filtration to Prevent Injection Occlusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Viscous injectable materials often form agglomerations that lead to occlusions and uneven extrusion forces, resulting in non-uniform delivery and potential immune responses due to varying mechanical properties, with existing methods like large needles or particle sizing causing discomfort and altering material properties.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using filters/sieves to remove agglomerations by passing viscous materials through them, optionally under pressure, to achieve uniform particle distribution and controlled extrusion, using devices like extrusion systems, collection vessels, and luer-lock connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If viscous materials are concentrated to achieve desired viscosity, then injection performance is improved, but agglomerations form causing occlusions and uneven extrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by filtering the viscous material through a filter/sieve placed in the extrusion system before injection. This pre-filtration removes agglomerations and ensures uniform particle distribution in advance, preventing occlusions and uneven extrusion during the actual injection process while maintaining the desired concentrated viscosity
2Ease of operation
If large bore needles are used to overcome agglomerations, then delivery is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful agglomerations from the viscous material by passing it through a filter/sieve before injection. This removal of particles causing blockages allows the use of smaller, finer bore needles for patient comfort while still achieving effective delivery of the filtered, uniform material
3Stability of the object's composition
If particle sizing and sorting are performed, then uniformity is improved, but material properties are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively removing only the agglomerations (localized non-uniformities) through filtration while leaving the individual particles and their properties intact. This targeted approach achieves uniform particle distribution without altering the inherent material properties of the particles themselves
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 method and device effectively eliminate agglomerations, ensuring uniform particle distribution and controlled extrusion, reducing occlusions and extrusion forces, while maintaining particle morphology and rheological properties, suitable for administering viscous materials like dermal fillers.
Implementation Method 1
The viscous material is then passed through the filter/sieve placed inside, outside, adjacent to or outside the extrusion system or the first injection device, which causes removal or filtration of the agglomerations
Implementation Method 2
The passing step may additionally require forcing the material through the filter/sieve under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A method of filtering or removing agglomerations of individual particles from a viscous material such as a dermal filler formulation is provided. The method involves filling the viscous material in an extrusion system comprising a sieve or filter placed inside, outside, adjacent to or outside the system. The material is forced to pass through the filter/sieve which causes filtration/removal of the agglomerates present in the viscous material owing to its larger size. Alternatively, the pressure-based filtration cause separation of the individual particles causing breakdown of the agglomerates, thereby allowing the viscous material to pass through the extrusion system without any occlusion problems. The filtered viscous material is suitable for administration to the patients. The invention also describes devices to carry out the proposed pressure-filtration technique.