Adjustable Magnetic Medical Cap for Catheter Lid Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical instrument caps for urethral catheters have fixed magnetic attractive force, which is unsuitable for users with varying hand dexterity, leading to potential urine leakage issues for both elderly individuals with weak gripping force and younger users experiencing shock.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument cap with adjustable magnetic force between the lid and body components, allowing users to adjust the attractive force by moving a base portion relative to an iron plate or magnet, enabling customizable closure strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a fixed-strength magnet is incorporated in the medical instrument cap, then the lid closure force is sufficient for users with strong gripping force, but the magnetic attractive force is too strong for users with weak gripping force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the magnetic member's position adjustable rather than fixed. The magnetic member can be moved along the connection plug main body to change its distance from the lid-side magnetic member, thereby dynamically adjusting the magnetic attractive force. This allows users with different gripping strengths to position the magnetic member at appropriate distances, making the lid closure operationally easy for all users regardless of their hand dexterity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by varying the distance parameter between the magnetic member and the lid-side magnetic member to adjust the magnetic attractive force. By changing this spatial parameter, the system adapts to different user needs without requiring different magnet strengths, thus resolving the contradiction between sufficient closure force and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a fixed-strength magnet is incorporated in the medical instrument cap, then the lid remains securely closed during normal use, but the magnetic attractive force is too strong to prevent lid opening from shock during strenuous exercise
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamics principle addresses this contradiction by allowing users to adjust the magnetic member's position based on their activity level. During strenuous exercise, users can increase the distance between magnetic members to reduce attractive force and prevent shock-induced lid opening. During normal use, users can decrease the distance to enhance closure reliability, thus adaptively managing the risk of lid opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The preliminary action principle is applied by allowing users to pre-adjust the magnetic member position before engaging in activities. Users can anticipate potential shock during exercise and position the magnetic member at a greater distance in advance, thereby preventing lid opening before it occurs. This proactive adjustment resolves the contradiction between security and shock resistance.
3Ease of operation
If the magnetic member is made adjustable to accommodate users with weak gripping force, then the ease of operation improves for elderly users, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation principle is applied by dividing the connection plug main body into functional segments: a movable magnetic member, a base portion with clearance, and a lateral wall. This segmentation allows the magnetic member to be independently adjusted while keeping the rest of the structure simple. The clearance in the lateral wall provides a straightforward mechanical guide for the magnetic member's movement, minimizing complexity while enabling adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary principle is applied by introducing the clearance in the lateral wall as a mediator between the magnetic member and the external environment. This clearance provides a simple mechanical constraint that guides the magnetic member's movement without requiring complex mechanisms. The base portion acts as an intermediary structure that supports the magnetic member while allowing its positional adjustment, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the magnetic member is made removable to allow adjustment, then the adaptability improves for different users, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation principle facilitates manufacturing by dividing the device into separable components: a removable magnetic member and a connection plug main body. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, and then assembled through simple insertion into the clearance. The modular design improves adaptability while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The universality principle is applied by designing the magnetic member and connection plug main body as universally compatible components. The standardized clearance and base portion structure allow the same components to serve multiple functions: providing magnetic closure force, allowing positional adjustment for different users, and enabling easy assembly and disassembly. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and ease of manufacture.
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
Provides a medical instrument cap with adjustable lid closure force, accommodating users with diverse hand dexterity, reducing urine leakage risks.
Implementation Method 1
a lid portion (30) that has attached thereto a lid-side magnetic member (32) generating attractive force to the main body-side magnetic member (15)
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a medical instrument cap of which lid closing force is adjustable. A medical instrument cap (100) includes a connection plug main body (10) that has attached thereto a main body-side magnetic member (15) and that has formed therein a flow path (14) penetrating from a base end portion (12) formed to be connectable to an external member to an opening portion (13) positioned on an opposite side, and a lid portion (30) that has attached thereto a lid-side magnetic member (32) generating attractive force to the main body-side magnetic member (15) and that is configured to close the flow path (14) by abutting against the opening portion (13) of the connection plug main body (10). At least one of the main body-side magnetic member (15) and the lid-side magnetic member (32) is configured so that magnitude of the attractive force acting between the main body-side magnetic member (15) and the lid-side magnetic member (32) is adjustable.