Closing Element Protrusions for Contamination-Free Fluid Line Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for closing fluid lines in medical containers, such as concentrate containers for blood treatment, often lead to contamination due to manual handling and the risk of dislodging seals during storage, and conventional closures with breaking edges can contaminate the product during connection.
Innovation Solution
A closing element for fluid lines featuring a main body with a closing portion and a pressure receiving portion that includes protrusions, allowing the fluid line to be opened by applying pressure without direct contact with the outside surface, using a polymer with a weakened breaking point that requires minimal force to break, ensuring hygiene and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual seal removal method is used to open the fluid line, then the fluid line can be opened for connection, but contamination risk increases due to extensive manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is designed to be opened automatically by the connector element during the connection process. The connector element's movement triggers the breaking of the intended breaking point, causing the closing portion to separate without requiring manual intervention. This self-opening mechanism eliminates manual handling of the seal, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a conventional film seal is used to close the fluid line, then the fluid line remains sealed during storage, but the film may easily be dislodged leading to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is divided into distinct functional portions: a closing portion that seals the fluid line, a main body that provides structural support, and a pressure receiving portion with protrusions that interface with the connector element. The closing portion is connected to the main body through an intended breaking point, allowing it to be separated cleanly during opening. This segmentation ensures the seal remains securely attached during storage but can be reliably opened when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element is pre-configured with an intended breaking point at the connection between the closing portion and main body. This preliminary design ensures that when the connector element applies pressure during connection, the breaking occurs at the predetermined location rather than at the seal interface, preventing seal dislodgement and contamination.
3Ease of operation
If a closure with intended breaking edges is used, then the connection can be established without removing the seal, but the connecting part touches the outer surface which can be contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure receiving portion with protrusions serves as an intermediary between the connector element and the closing element's internal structure. The protrusions are positioned to receive pressure from the connector element and transmit it to the intended breaking point through the main body, without requiring the connector element to contact the outer surface of the closing element. This intermediary mechanism allows automatic opening while preventing contamination from surface contact.
4Reliability
If significant force is required to open the closing element manually, then the closing element can remain securely sealed, but strain on personnel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is designed with dynamic opening characteristics. The intended breaking point is positioned and dimensioned to require minimal force to initiate breaking, once pressure is applied. The main body's geometry and the pressure receiving portion's protrusions are configured to concentrate and amplify the applied pressure efficiently at the breaking point, reducing the overall force needed compared to manual seal removal while maintaining sealing security during storage.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a closing element for a fluid line, preferably a fluid line of a concentrate container, comprising a closing portion configured to be arranged on an end portion of the fluid line to fluidically close the fluid line, wherein the closing portion comprises an intended breaking point, and a pressure receiving portion configured to receive pressure applied by a connector element to be fluidically connected to the fluid line by breaking the intended breaking point, wherein the pressure receiving portion comprises at least one protrusion projecting outwards from at least a part of the closing element that is configured to come into contact with the connector element.