Breathing Circuit Connector With Lever Retention and Secure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for medical breathing circuits lack a reliable and secure connection mechanism that ensures consistent delivery of respiratory therapy, providing reassurance to operators and patients.
Innovation Solution
A connector design comprising an inner and outer body with a retention mechanism, sealing mechanism, and a lever system, utilizing materials with different stiffnesses to ensure a secure and releasable connection, featuring a flexing region and alignment features for precise engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple connector design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into an inner body and an outer body as separate components. The inner body contains the retention mechanism with levers, while the outer body provides the connection interface. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with optimized processes, then assembled together to achieve reliable connection
Solution Approach 2:
The inner body is nested within the outer body, with the inner body positioned inside the outer body's cavity. The retention mechanism of the inner body engages with corresponding features on the outer body, creating a nested structure that provides secure connection while allowing separate manufacturing of the two bodies
2Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is implemented, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The retention mechanism incorporates movable levers that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. The levers are biased by springs to maintain engagement under normal conditions, but can be actuated to disengage when needed. This dynamic mechanism provides secure connection during use while allowing controlled release
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanism is designed to automatically engage and maintain connection without requiring active control systems. The spring-biased levers self-adjust to maintain contact with the outer body, and the connection is maintained passively until deliberately actuated to release
3Ease of operation
If a releasable connection mechanism is added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The levers are pre-positioned in an engaged state through spring biasing, so that connection is automatically maintained during use. To release the connection, the user simply needs to actuate the levers, which then move to disengage the connection. This preliminary positioning simplifies operation while maintaining secure connection
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 connector provides a secure and reliable connection capable of resisting separation forces up to 50N, ensuring consistent delivery of respiratory therapy and patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the inner body comprises a first material and at least part of the outer body comprises a second material... the first material is stiffer than the second material... the retention mechanism of the inner body comprises a flexing region comprising the first material
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a connector for a component of a medical breathing circuit. The connector comprises an inner body and an outer body. The inner body and the outer body being separate components. The inner body having a retention mechanism configured to engage another connector, and an outer body configured to at least partly surround the inner body, the outer body having a tube engagement mechanism.