Aseptic Fluid Connector With Deflecting Valve for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors fail to prevent contamination of aseptic or sterile fluids, leading to potential infections and illnesses in medical, food processing, and industrial applications, as they expose fluid-contacting surfaces to ambient atmosphere and do not ensure a reliable seal against external contaminants.
Innovation Solution
The development of an aseptic fluid connector with radially spaced engaging portions and movable valves that form a fluid-tight seal in the non-connected position to prevent contamination and switch to an open position for sterile fluid flow when connected, utilizing elastic materials like silicone for the valves and sealing surfaces to create an annular interference fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fluid connectors are designed to allow easy connection and disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid-contacting surfaces are exposed to ambient atmosphere causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is pre-positioned in a closed state before connection occurs, preventing contamination of the fluid pathway in advance. The sealing surface is prepared and positioned to immediately engage with the valve, ensuring protection is in place before any potential contamination can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary element between the fluid pathway and the ambient atmosphere. It provides a controllable barrier that can be opened only when properly connected, mediating between the need for connection and the need for contamination protection.
2Reliability
If a valve mechanism is added to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is constructed from elastomeric material that forms a flexible, thin-walled structure. This allows the valve to be simple in form while providing effective sealing through its elastic properties, reducing complexity compared to rigid mechanical valve designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes changes in elastomeric material properties (such as durometer and hardness) to achieve proper sealing and opening characteristics. By optimizing material parameters rather than complex geometry, the design maintains simplicity while ensuring reliable contamination prevention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the valve is kept closed to prevent contamination, then contamination prevention is improved, but fluid flow is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position upon proper connection. The deflecting member enables the valve to move and open the fluid pathway dynamically when needed, allowing the system to adapt between protection mode and flow mode based on connection status.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed valve position provides preliminary protection against contamination before fluid flow is required. The system is pre-configured with the valve closed, and only opens the flow path when proper connection has been established, ensuring protection takes precedence until readiness is confirmed.
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 solution effectively maintains aseptic conditions by preventing external contamination of fluid-contacting surfaces and ensuring sterile fluid transfer, even when not connected, and maintains a hermetic seal during fluid flow, enhancing safety in applications involving sterile or toxic fluids.
Implementation Method 1
The valve is formed from an elastomeric material and defines an annular fluid-tight seal in engagement with the sealing surface
Implementation Method 2
a deflecting member including an engaging portion radially spaced relative to the port and the valve movable between the closed and open positions with movement of the engaging portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An aseptic fluid connector having a first connector including a first fluid passageway for receiving a fluid therein; a first port in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway for passage of the fluid therethrough; and a first deflecting member. The first deflecting member includes a first engaging portion radially spaced relative to the first port, and a first valve movable between a closed position and an open position with movement of the first engaging portion between a non-deflected position and a deflected position, respectively, in the non- deflected position, the first valve is located in the closed position forming a fluid-tight seal between the first valve and first port and preventing the passage of fluid therethrough, and in the deflected position, the first valve is located in the open position allowing the aseptic passage of fluid through the first port.