Aseptic Fluid Coupling with Removable Sleeve Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid coupling devices often require sterile environments for assembly, are not aseptic, and lack a robust mechanism for maintaining a closed fluid flow path until intentionally opened, leading to potential contamination and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid coupling device with a removable sleeve that retains a valve member in a closed position, allowing aseptic connection and selective opening through sleeve removal, featuring a spring-actuated mechanism for fluid flow path control and a genderless design for easy coupling with identical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing fluid coupling devices are used without a robust closing mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of maintaining a closed fluid flow path deteriorates, leading to potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is pre-positioned in a closed position and held by the sleeve before coupling occurs. This preliminary closing action ensures the fluid path is sealed before any potential contamination risk, and the spring is pre-loaded to provide the closing force that activates upon sleeve removal
Solution Approach 2:
The removable sleeve acts as an intermediary component that temporarily holds the valve member in the closed position during coupling. It mediates between the need for a simple coupling structure and the requirement for reliable fluid path closure, allowing the valve to be retained without complex locking mechanisms
2Reliability
If sterile environments are required for assembly, then the purity of the fluid system is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased operational costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is segmented into sterile components (valve member, seal, internal housing) and non-sterile components (outer housing, removable sleeve). This allows the critical fluid-path components to be sterilized and sealed, while external components can be handled in non-sterile environments, eliminating the need for complete sterile assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The removable sleeve functions as a disposable barrier component that protects the sterile valve mechanism during handling and coupling. After use, the sleeve is discarded, maintaining sterility of the internal components without requiring sterilization of the entire device or assembly environment
3Reliability
If a robust mechanism is implemented to maintain closed fluid flow path, then the reliability of fluid path control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member transitions from a static closed position (held by sleeve) to a dynamic state where spring force can activate it. The spring provides continuous closing force that automatically activates when the sleeve is removed, creating a simple yet reliable dynamic control mechanism without complex actuators or controls
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded valve member is self-actuating upon sleeve removal. The pre-loaded spring automatically drives the valve to the closed position when the retaining sleeve is removed, eliminating the need for external actuators, motors, or complex control systems while ensuring reliable fluid path closure
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
Enables aseptic fluid transfer without the need for sterile rooms, maintains a closed flow path until intentional opening, and provides a robust, cost-effective solution for sterile fluid handling with reduced contamination risk.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-actuated mechanism for fluid flow path control
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid coupling devices can be used to provide fluid passage connections in fluid systems. Some fluid coupling devices are configured for use in fluid systems for the purpose of providing a sterile connection by which fluid can be transferred in a sterile manner. Such a sterile connection can be useful for the delivery and/or processing of therapeutic agents, or ingredients thereof, and other purposes.