Asymmetric Connection Device for Sterile Fluid Preparation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for extemporaneous preparation of sterile treatment fluids often fail to maintain sterility due to operator errors, such as omitting to dissociate the sterilizing filter or connection/sterilization device before administration, leading to contamination and requiring complex handling procedures.

Innovation Solution

A device design where the connection/sterilization device is incompatible with administration needles until it is fully dissociated from the syringe, ensuring that the syringe can only be connected to a needle after complete disassembly, thereby preventing contamination and simplifying the handling process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sterilizing filter and connection device use standard compatible end pieces (e.g., Luer®), then ease of operation and assembly are improved, but the risk of operator error increases leading to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection/sterilization device is equipped with a first end piece that is asymmetrically designed to be incompatible with standard administration needle end pieces. This asymmetry prevents accidental connection of the needle to the filter inlet, thereby maintaining sterility while still allowing proper assembly of the intended components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The first end piece acts as an intermediary element between the sterilizing filter and the administration needle. By designing this intermediary with incompatible geometry, it serves as a physical mediator that prevents direct connection between incompatible components, thus avoiding contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the connection/sterilization device remains attached to the syringe during administration, then sterility is maintained, but the ability to administer treatment fluid is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidadministration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: the syringe, the connection/sterilization device, and the administration needle. The second end piece of the connection device is designed to be dissociable from the syringe, allowing the needle to be connected to the syringe outlet after the connection device is removed, thus enabling administration while maintaining sterility during preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sterilization and connection functions are performed preliminarily by the connection/sterilization device before administration. The device is designed to be removed after this preliminary phase, allowing the administration needle to be properly connected to the syringe for the actual treatment fluid delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If standard frustoconical end pieces are used for the syringe and filter, then ease of assembly is improved, but accidental direct connection between needle and filter inlet becomes possible leading to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first end piece of the connection/sterilization device is designed with asymmetric geometry that is incompatible with the female frustoconical end piece of the administration needle. This asymmetry creates a physical barrier preventing accidental direct connection between the needle and filter inlet, thereby eliminating the contamination pathway while maintaining ease of assembly for proper components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harm of having compatible-looking connections is converted into a benefit by designing the first end piece to be intentionally incompatible with needles. This incompatibility, which might seem like a operational difficulty, actually serves as a safety feature that prevents contamination by making incorrect assembly physically impossible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 device ensures the sterility of the treatment fluid by preventing accidental contamination and simplifying the handling process, making it safer and more reliable for use, with enhanced traceability of administered doses.

Implementation Method 1

a sterilizing filter (5), the inlet (38) of which forms a proximal end piece (37) of the connection/sterilization device (5, 6)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3348249B1Device for extemporaneous preparation of an amount of sterile fluid

Publication Date: 2020.01.01 ARCADOPHTA SARL

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the extemporaneous preparation of a quantity of sterile treatment fluid, comprising an administration syringe (4) and a connection/sterilization device (5, 6) by filtration. The fluid inlet (34) of the connection/sterilization device (5, 6) is incompatible with any female frustoconical tip that would be compatible with the male frustoconical tip of the syringe (4), such that a hermetic connection of said fluid inlet (34) of the connection/sterilization device (5, 6) to such a female frustoconical tip is impossible.