Collapsible Valve Internal Dimples Fluid Trapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional needleless self-sealing connectors trap medical fluid in crevices and recesses, leading to potential degradation of the fluid before it reaches the patient.

Innovation Solution

A needleless connector design featuring a collapsible valve with internal dimples that guide its collapse on a surface not wetted by the fluid, preventing fluid trapping by positioning these dimples within the internal air space, ensuring a smooth fluid path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a collapsible valve is used to prevent fluid leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but fluid may become trapped in crevices and recesses within the connector

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidfluid retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing dimples on the external surface of the valve (which would be wetted by fluid and trap fluid), the dimples are inverted to be placed on the internal surface of the valve wall, in the air space. This inversion ensures that the collapse guidance features are in a location not wetted by fluid, preventing fluid trapping while maintaining sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The dimples are positioned in a different spatial dimension - specifically in the air space dimension rather than in the fluid path dimension. By moving the collapse guidance features from the fluid-contacting surface to the air-space surface, the solution eliminates fluid trapping while preserving the valve's sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If dimples are added to guide valve collapse, then valve control is improved, but connector complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve collapse controlVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dimples are localized to specific regions - the air space surface of the valve wall - rather than being distributed throughout the entire connector. This localized placement provides the necessary collapse guidance control while minimizing the overall structural complexity of the connector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3659669B1Collapsible valve with internal dimples

Publication Date: 2021.10.20 CAREFUSION 303 INC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4A~5B

AI summary

A needleless connector has a body having an internal cavity with a sealing ridge, a port, an output flow channel, and a fluid flow path between the port and output flow channel. The connector also has a collapsible valve disposed within the cavity. The valve includes a cylindrical wall having a center axis, an internal surface, and a shoulder configured to sealingly contact the ridge of the body, thereby blocking the fluid flow path. The valve also includes a head fixedly attached to the wall. The head has a smiley cut at a first angular position about the center axis and a continuous top surface that is generally perpendicular to the axis. The valve also includes a first dimple formed in the internal surface of the cylindrical wall. The dimple extends around the internal surface over an angle in the range of 90-270°.