Antimicrobial Stopcock Insert for Stagnant Fluid Sterility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stopcock medical connectors in infusion therapy systems are prone to microbial growth due to stagnant fluid, leading to potential infections when the connector is opened for fluid administration.

Innovation Solution

An antimicrobial insert is seated within the annular bore of the stopcock connector's tap, which contacts the fluid and prevents microbial proliferation, using materials like polymer with antimicrobial coatings or embedded agents such as chlorhexidine and silver compounds, and is retained through friction or adhesive to maintain fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a stopcock medical connector is used to selectively administer fluid, then fluid flow control is improved, but microbial growth in stagnant fluid increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow controlVSAvoidmicrobial growth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful stagnant fluid environment by introducing an antimicrobial insert that actively removes or inhibits microbial growth. The insert is placed within the fluid pathway to specifically target and eliminate the microbial proliferation problem while preserving the stopcock's fluid control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The antimicrobial insert serves as an intermediary element between the stagnant fluid and the microbial contaminants. It mediates the interaction by providing an antimicrobial barrier that prevents microbial growth without interfering with the stopcock's ability to control fluid flow between different ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an antimicrobial insert is added to prevent microbial growth, then infection risk is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection riskVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial insert is nested within the existing stopcock connector structure. It is positioned inside the fluid pathway or annular bore of the stopcock, utilizing the existing internal geometry without requiring external modifications or additional components outside the original device footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous materials for the antimicrobial insert, which allows fluid to pass through while maintaining contact with the antimicrobial surface. The porous structure provides a large surface area for antimicrobial action while maintaining fluid flow characteristics, adding minimal resistance to the fluid pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of operation

If the tap is rotated to closed position to cease fluid administration, then fluid flow is stopped, but stagnant fluid promotes microbial colonization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid administration controlVSAvoidfluid sterility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antimicrobial insert is pre-positioned within the fluid pathway before the stopcock is used. It is already in place to provide continuous antimicrobial protection during periods when the tap is in the closed position and fluid is stagnant, preventing microbial colonization before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The antimicrobial insert provides continuous antimicrobial action regardless of the tap position. Whether the fluid is flowing or stagnant, the insert maintains its antimicrobial effect continuously, ensuring that sterility is preserved at all times rather than only during active fluid administration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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 antimicrobial insert effectively inhibits microbial growth within the stopcock connector, reducing the risk of infections by ensuring that the fluid in contact with it remains sterile, thereby enhancing the safety of infusion therapy.

Implementation Method 1

the antimicrobial insert comprises a polymer material having an antimicrobial coating applied to the outer surface of the antimicrobial insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 2

the antimicrobial insert comprises a polymer material forming a matrix comprising a plurality of interstices in which antimicrobial material is loaded or dispersed and is therefore capable of eluting out of the polymer material when the antimicrobial insert is exposed to a fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElution: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

retained through friction or adhesive to maintain fluid flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11878138B2Antimicrobial inserts for stopcock medical connectors

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.