Actuated Septum Fingers Prevent Cross-Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional septa designs face challenges in preventing cross-contamination between fluid transfer devices and vessel contents due to the potential for carry-over when sampling, as existing actuation mechanisms require piercing the septum, increasing the risk of contamination.

Innovation Solution

An actuated septum system with internal septum fingers and an external actuation ring, where the actuation ring depresses against rib portions to open the septum passively, allowing fluid sampling without piercing, and automatically re-seals to prevent cross-contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional septum is used with a fluid transfer device that pierces the septum, then access to vessel contents is achieved, but cross-contamination between the fluid transfer device and vessel contents occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to vessel contentsVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The septum is divided into multiple independent fingers that can move separately. When the actuation ring is pressed, these segmented fingers independently deflect to create an opening, allowing the fluid transfer device to access the vessel contents without piercing the entire septum structure, thereby preventing cross-contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The septum transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the fingers can deflect and return. The fingers are designed to be flexible enough to move when actuated but return to their original sealing position automatically, enabling repeated access operations without permanent compromise to the seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If an actuation mechanism with levers and wings is used, then the septum can be opened for sampling, but the structure becomes complex and may still allow carry-over contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseptum opening capabilityVSAvoidactuation mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex internal lever and wing mechanisms are removed entirely. Instead, a simple external actuation ring is used that directly presses on the septum fingers, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical components and reducing the overall structural complexity while maintaining the opening function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the fluid transfer device pierce the septum from the outside, the invention inverts the approach by having the septum fingers actively deflect outward to create an opening. The actuation ring presses on the fingers causing them to move away from the center, reversing the traditional piercing action and preventing contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the septum remains passively sealed, then contamination is prevented, but access to vessel contents requires piercing the seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidaccess method

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The septum fingers are pre-positioned to provide a passive seal, and the actuation mechanism is pre-configured to deflect these fingers outward. Before the fluid transfer device makes contact, the actuation ring can be pressed to preliminarily open the pathway, allowing the device to pass through the already-created opening without piercing the seal, thus maintaining contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system effectively prevents cross-contamination by allowing fluid sampling without piercing the septum, ensuring a clean and contamination-free process through passive sealing and self-healing closure mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

The septum is constructed from an elastomeric material or plastic material that provides a passive seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

depressing the actuation device against the ribs of the plurality of septum fingers, to break the passive seal and provide an opening into the vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

allowing the plurality of septum fingers to close and passively re-seal the vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic Recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS8621944B2Actuated septa and systems and methods using the same

Publication Date: 2014.01.07 SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC

AI summary

A device, system, and method for passively sealing a vessel containing a fluid and for sampling the fluid without carry-over or cross-contamination between the fluid sampling device, the sealing septum, and the vessel contents. The device includes an actuated septum having a plurality of septum fingers, to passively seal the vessel, and an actuation device, to open the passive seal without carry-over or cross-contamination. Each of the plurality of septum fingers includes a corresponding rib portion. The actuation device can be an actuation ring having an annulus. The plurality of septum fingers and corresponding rib portions are disposed internal or substantially internal to the vessel, while the actuation device is disposed external to the vessel.