Medical Cleaning Cap Depth Stop for Consistent Luer Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning caps for male luers in medical devices fail to maintain an air-tight seal due to molding deformities, variances in luer length, and lack of a 'hard' stop for the plunger, leading to potential leakage of cleaning solution and contamination.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning cap with a movable plunger and depth stops that control the plunger's displacement, ensuring a consistent air-tight seal by accommodating molding deformities and varying luer lengths, using depth stops to prevent plunger displacement under pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional cleaning cap without depth stop is used, then the cap can be attached to male luers with varying lengths, but the plunger displacement varies leading to inconsistent sealing and potential fluid leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with varying luer lengthsVSAvoidseal consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a depth stop feature that changes the positional parameter of the plunger, limiting its maximum displacement to a predetermined distance. This ensures that regardless of the male luer length variations, the plunger maintains consistent sealing contact with the male luer surface, preventing fluid leakage while accommodating different luer configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the plunger is allowed to move freely without depth stop, then the cap can accommodate different luer lengths, but the plunger may be displaced away from the male protrusion when pressure is built up, compromising the seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplunger mobilityVSAvoidseal integrity under pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The depth stop is pre-configured in the cleaning cap to establish a maximum plunger displacement limit before pressure buildup occurs. This preliminary constraint ensures that when pressure is applied during syringe operation, the plunger cannot be displaced beyond the sealed position, maintaining seal integrity while still allowing sufficient mobility for proper sealing engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If no depth stop mechanism is present, then the cap structure remains simple, but the plunger displacement is uncontrolled leading to fluid escape and contamination risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap structureVSAvoidfluid leakage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The depth stop introduces a controlled parameter (maximum displacement distance) that prevents harmful fluid leakage while adding minimal structural complexity. The depth stop can be implemented as a simple mechanical feature within the cap housing, providing effective containment of cleaning solution and prevention of contamination without significantly complicating the overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12611532B2Cleaning cap for medical implement

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

The disclosed cap for attachment to a medical implement having a male protrusion includes a movable plunger and a depth stop for limiting the translational movement of the plunger. Typically, the cap will include a cleaning solution that is displaced by the movable plunger. The depth stop controls of the displacement of the plunger such that a consistent air-tight seal is made between the surface of the plunger and a surface of the male luer.