Coded Fluid Connector Locking to Prevent Wrong Liquid Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In extracorporeal blood treatment, there is a risk of incorrect treatment liquids being administered due to mix-ups between different bags, posing significant health risks, as existing connectors lack reliable mechanisms to ensure correct liquid assignment.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring complementary projections and receptacles that only allow a secure connection when the parts are correctly matched, with a bayonet-style locking mechanism and color coding to prevent incorrect assembly, ensuring the septum remains closed unless the parts are properly aligned, thus preventing incorrect infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connectors are used without coding mechanisms, then the connector structure remains simple, but the risk of incorrect liquid administration increases due to potential mix-ups between different treatment bags
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric coding elements in the form of projections and receptacles that are positioned and dimensioned to create a unique geometric code for each connector type. This asymmetric configuration ensures that only complementary connectors with matching codes can be physically connected, preventing incorrect liquid administration while maintaining a relatively simple overall connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces coding projections and receptacles as intermediary elements that mediate the connection between two connectors. These coding elements act as a mechanical language that must be correctly matched for connection to occur, providing a reliable prevention mechanism against incorrect connections without requiring complex electronic or chemical systems.
2Reliability
If coding projections and receptacles are added to ensure correct connection, then the reliability of liquid assignment improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coding system is segmented into discrete projection and receptacle elements that can be independently designed and positioned. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes where the same base connector body can be used with different coding configurations, simplifying the manufacturing of multiple connector types while maintaining high reliability through precise coding element placement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening element is designed to only open the sealing element when projections are correctly inserted, then patient safety is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to the interdependent mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates preliminary action by requiring the coding projections to be correctly inserted into receptacles before the opening element can access and open the sealing element. This preliminary coding verification step ensures that only correctly matched connectors can proceed to the fluid transfer phase, preventing wrong liquid infusion while using a straightforward mechanical sequence of operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connector comprising at least a first connector part and at least a second connector part, wherein the connector parts can be connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner and can be locked to each other by means of at least one locking element, wherein one of the connector parts has at least one sealing element, in particular a septum or a sealing disc, which is flow-blocking in the closed state and can be opened, and the other of the connector parts has at least one opening element for opening the sealing element, and wherein one of the connector parts has at least one projection and the other of the connector parts has at least one receptacle, wherein the opening element and the sealing element are arranged to each other in such a way that the opening element opens the sealing element only when the projection is inserted into the receptacle.