Asymmetrical Self-Righting Medical Device Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medical device manufacturing, maintaining sterility during assembly is challenging due to the need for manual handling of small components, which can lead to contamination.

Innovation Solution

A closure for medical devices, such as syringes, featuring an asymmetrical structure with a self-righting mechanism that automatically assumes an upright orientation when dropped, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing contact, thereby preserving sterility. The closure includes a base with a terminal end and a flange with a curved, sloping peripheral edge, and a non-rotational connection for secure attachment to a support platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual handling of small components is used during assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but sterility is compromised due to contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual handlingVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure component is designed with self-aligning features including an asymmetrical flange structure and curved sloping peripheral edge that enable it to automatically orient itself in the correct position when dispersed on a work surface, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing manual contact to a minimum

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flange is designed with an asymmetrical structure where opposing portions extend outwardly from the base at different distances, creating a unique orientation that allows the closure to self-align in only one correct position on the work surface, facilitating automated assembly while maintaining sterility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Object-affected harmful factors

If automated self-righting mechanism is implemented, then sterility is improved by reducing manual contact, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecontaminationVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetrical flange design with opposing portions at different distances from the base creates a self-aligning mechanism that passively guides the closure to its correct orientation through gravity and geometry alone, without requiring active control systems, motors, or sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The curved sloping peripheral edge of the flange works in conjunction with the asymmetrical structure to create a self-righting effect that automatically orients the closure upright on the work surface, using simple geometric curvature rather than complex mechanical or electronic mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Productivity

If components are dispersed randomly on work surface, then productivity is improved by enabling parallel assembly, but alignment precision deteriorates requiring manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidalignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetrical flange structure ensures that when multiple closures are dispersed randomly on the work surface, each one automatically orients itself in the correct position, maintaining alignment precision without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The closure's self-aligning features enable it to automatically assume the correct orientation upon contact with the work surface, allowing multiple components to be assembled in parallel while maintaining precise alignment without manual handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 self-righting closure ensures automatic alignment and secure attachment without manual contact, maintaining sterility and simplifying the assembly process while ensuring proper orientation for connection to medical devices.

Implementation Method 1

the base having a curved, substantially bulbous exterior surface configuration... a self-righting structure which serves to automatically dispose the closure in the aforementioned upright orientation when they are freely dropped or dispersed on a substantially level or horizontal a supporting surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-righting mechanism: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11471610B1Asymmetrical closure for a medical device
Publication Date: 2022.10.18 INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL IND INC
  • US11471610B1 patent drawing
  • US11471610B1 patent drawing
  • US11471610B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A closure for a medical device includes a base having a terminal end for supporting the base in an upright orientation. A connector is mounted on the base for the attachment to the medical device. Automatic, self-righting capabilities of the closure include a curved, substantially bulbous, exterior surface of the base and a center of mass located between the terminal end and a flange. The flange is connected to the base and includes a multi-level peripheral edge extending outwardly from said base at different distances. An included asymmetrical structure of the closure facilitates the automatic, self-righting capabilities thereof.