Detachable Fluid Transfer Accessory With Resilient Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a detachable, pre-sterilized, and disposable fluid transfer device accessory that can maintain aseptic conditions during fluid transfers in industrial settings, particularly in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, while being safe, reliable, and cost-effective, and capable of handling multiple samples or additions without requiring extensive operator preparation or sterilization.

Innovation Solution

A detachable fluid transfer device accessory with a body featuring an upper extension, lower extension, and connector portion, along with a resilient engagement member, which engages with a fluid transfer device's tab assembly to maintain a fixed configuration and ensure aseptic flow, allowing for easy attachment and detachment while maintaining sterility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional fluid transfer device is used, then fluid transfer can be performed, but the device requires sterilization preparation and is time-consuming to prepare

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-sterilized during manufacturing, so the sterilization action is performed in advance before the device reaches the user. This eliminates the need for operators to perform time-consuming sterilization procedures immediately before use, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and preparation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a disposable single-use item that is pre-sterilized. After one use, it is discarded rather than re-sterilized. This approach makes the device extremely easy to use (no preparation needed) while eliminating the time loss associated with repeated sterilization cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Loss of time

If a disposable device is used, then sterilization time is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization timeVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion, a tab assembly with seal, and a detachable accessory. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and pre-sterilized, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the disposable nature that eliminates sterilization time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tab assembly is nested within the body, and the detachable accessory is designed to attach to the tab assembly. This nested structure allows compact packaging and simplifies the overall device architecture, reducing complexity despite the disposable single-use design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If a pre-sterilized device is used, then operator preparation is eliminated, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator preparationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is manufactured as a low-cost disposable item with pre-integrated sterilization. By designing it for single use, the manufacturing process can optimize for cost efficiency rather than durability, while the pre-sterilization eliminates all operator preparation steps, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 provides a cost-effective, reliable, and aseptic fluid transfer system that reduces operator burden by eliminating the need for sterilization and ensures safe, hygienic fluid handling across multiple vessels, maintaining sterility and preventing contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient engagement member coupled to the lower engagement surface of the body... the resilient engagement member being configured to engage an upper surface of the tab assembly to retain the tab assembly in a fixed configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9975753B1Detachable fluid transfer device accessory and a fluid transfer assembly

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 SARTORIUS STEDIM NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

Detachable fluid transfer device accessories and fluid transfer assemblies are provided. The device accessories can include an upper extension defining a lower engagement surface; a lower extension defining an upwardly extending protrusion; a connector portion extending between the upper extension and the lower extension; and a resilient engagement member coupled to the lower engagement surface of the body. The upper extension, the lower extension, and the connector portion can collectively define a cavity configured to receive a tab assembly of a fluid transfer device, where the upwardly extending protrusion is configured to engage a housing of the fluid transfer device, and the resilient engagement member is configured to engage an upper surface of the tab assembly to retain the tab assembly in a fixed configuration relative to the housing.