Windowed Syringe Labels for Pediatric Anxiety Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical device labeling methods fail to address the anxiety and discomfort of children and patients during procedures involving hypodermic needles, as they do not effectively distract the patient from the medical procedure while allowing medical practitioners to operate the device safely.

Innovation Solution

A windowed label with a non-transparent, attention-grabbing graphical image area and transparent perimeter, allowing medical practitioners to view graduations on medical devices like syringes while distracting patients with positive imagery, thereby reducing anxiety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a non-transparent label is used to distract the patient, then patient anxiety is reduced, but the ability to view graduations and measurements on the syringe is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient anxietyVSAvoidvisibility of graduations

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The label is divided into distinct functional zones: a non-transparent central area containing attention-grabbing imagery for patient distraction, and transparent peripheral areas (windows) that allow medical practitioners to view graduations and measurements on the syringe barrel. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of patient comfort and measurement visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the label have different optical properties tailored to their specific functions. The central region is non-transparent with vibrant imagery to capture patient attention, while the peripheral regions are transparent to allow viewing of critical measurement information. Each local area is optimized for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If a transparent label is used to allow viewing of graduations, then measurement visibility is maintained, but patient distraction and anxiety reduction are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of graduationsVSAvoidpatient anxiety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The label is divided into distinct functional zones: a non-transparent central area containing attention-grabbing imagery for patient distraction, and transparent peripheral areas (windows) that allow medical practitioners to view graduations and measurements on the syringe barrel. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of patient comfort and measurement visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If a blank label is used for identification, then medical information is provided, but patient engagement and distraction are not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedical identification informationVSAvoidpatient anxiety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the label have different optical properties tailored to their specific functions. The central region is non-transparent with vibrant imagery to capture patient attention, while the peripheral regions are transparent to allow viewing of critical measurement information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The label simultaneously performs multiple functions: it provides patient distraction through engaging imagery, maintains visibility of graduations through transparent windows, and can include medical identification information. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate labeling components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11850403B2Syringes and medical devices with windowed labels

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 NASTASI NICHOLAS

AI summary

A syringe or medical device, especially adapted and suited for use with children, having a label with non-transparent and transparent portions positioned on the syringe or medical device so as to avoid covering measurement graduations or indicia needed by a medical practitioner for performing a medical procedure, such as an injection or blood collection, and using attention grabbing graphic images on the non-transparent portion of the label for distracting the patient's attention from fluids and/or hypodermic needles involved in the medical procedure.