Aseptic Fluid Transfer Shroud With Deflecting Protrusions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid transfer devices fail to ensure simple and aseptic fluid transfer, particularly for chemotherapeutic drugs, due to improper use, loss of vacuum, and exposure to vapors, leading to accidental aerosol release during the transfer of medical fluids between containers.
Innovation Solution
A shroud with a housing, luer connector, spike, and protrusions that deflect to securely attach and retain containers, preventing removal and ensuring aseptic transfer by maintaining a vacuum and controlling pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional transfer devices are used for fluid transfer, then fluid transfer between containers can be achieved, but improper use, loss of vacuum, and exposure to vapors lead to accidental aerosol release
Solution Approach 1:
The shroud is divided into multiple segments that can independently deflect and return, allowing controlled interaction with the closure portion while maintaining sealing integrity throughout the transfer process
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are designed to dynamically deflect outward during container attachment and traversing, then return to their initial position to prevent removal, adapting their configuration to different operational phases to ensure both ease of assembly and secure retention
2Strength
If the shroud protrusions are designed to securely retain the container, then container retention force is high, but the assembly force required may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions dynamically change their configuration during assembly - deflecting outward to accommodate the closure portion during attachment, then returning to create high retention force for preventing container removal
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using high assembly force to create friction-based retention, the design inverts the approach by using elastic deflection and geometric interlocking - the protrusions deflect during assembly and lock into position, creating high retention with low assembly force
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 shroud configuration provides a low assembly force with high retention force, facilitating aseptic fluid transfer and reducing the risk of aerosol release, enhancing the safety and efficiency of medical fluid handling.
Implementation Method 1
The protrusions deflect outwardly away from an initial position during contact and traversing of the closure portion of the container and return to approximately their initial position when the closure portion of the container passes the distal end of the protrusion
Implementation Method 2
ensuring aseptic transfer by maintaining a vacuum and controlling pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A fluid transfer device comprising a housing and a flow controller at least partially slidably disposed in the housing, the flow controller comprising at least one fluid channel and a vent conduit. A shroud, alone or in combination with the fluid transfer device comprising a plurality of segments terminating in a annular edge and defining a plurality of openings, and a plurality of protrusions, each of the plurality of protrusions having a proximal end connected to the annular edge and a distal end positioned in one of the plurality of openings adapted for the housing of the fluid transfer device is provided.