Deformable Sealing Element for Needle-Free Medical Liquid Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection assemblies for delivering liquids lack secure yet mobile sealing elements that allow needle-free access while maintaining sterility and ensuring unhindered flow, and often require complex disinfection procedures.
Innovation Solution
A connection assembly featuring a deformable sealing element with a shoulder and flange design that provides axial fixation and radial deformation, allowing needle-free access and easy disinfection, while maintaining a liquid-tight seal and unhindered flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element is securely fixed to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but mobility of the sealing element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with a deformable body that can dynamically change its state. When a delivery device is attached, the sealing element deforms to open a flow path, transitioning from a sealed state to an open state. This dynamic behavior allows the sealing element to maintain reliability when fixed while enabling mobility when deformation is needed for operation.
2Reliability
If a complex disinfection procedure is implemented, then sterility is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with an exposed outer side that can be easily accessed and disinfected before use. The flange structure provides a designated surface that can be wiped or dabbed with disinfectant in advance of the procedure, ensuring sterility without requiring complex disinfection equipment or procedures during the medical operation.
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 solution ensures reliable, secure, and mobile sealing with easy disinfection capabilities, reducing the risk of contamination and injury, and maintaining efficient liquid flow through needle-free access.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing element has a body that can be spaced a radial distance from the attachment member when the sealing element is attached to the attachment member and the delivery device is attached to the attachment member. The body of the sealing element is configured to deform to create a flow path through the sealing element.
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing element is received between a connector and an attachment member. The sealing element includes a foot section received by a recess of the connector, a shoulder engaging an inner surface of the attachment member, and a flange engaging a support surface of the connector. The sealing element also includes a cylindrical body extending from the shoulder to the flange along an insertion direction and, where the cylindrical body deforms to create a flow path through the sealing element, and a sealing head defines an opening that transitions from a closed state to an open state when the cylindrical body deforms.