Dialysis Leakage Adapter With Gravity Drain and Self-Sealing Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dialysis machines face challenges in detecting and locating leaks in fluid-carrying lines due to complex and expensive sealing connections, which can lead to measurement and calculation errors, and fail to pinpoint the exact location of leaks.

Innovation Solution

A leakage connection adapter with a universal inlet and outlet design, featuring a sealing ring that simplifies installation by pressing onto a wall without requiring precise alignment, ensuring a reliable seal and direct flow to a leak detector via gravity, eliminating accumulation points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex sealing connection is used to ensure reliable leak detection, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing connection is divided into separate components: a sealing ring (Dichtungsring) that can be pre-installed on the collection container opening, and a separate hose connection. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be isolated and simplified, reducing overall connection complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is pre-installed on the collection container opening before the hose connection is attached. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing surface is already prepared and positioned correctly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during final assembly and reducing installation difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a complex sealing connection is used to ensure reliable leak detection, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the sealing ring from the hose connection, the installation process is divided into simple, independent steps. The sealing ring can be quickly snap-fitted onto the opening, and the hose connection can be separately attached, significantly reducing installation time compared to a complex integrated connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if needed. This approach reduces installation costs and allows for quick maintenance without requiring complex tools or extensive installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a complex sealing connection is used to ensure reliable leak detection, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring is pre-positioned on the collection container opening, creating a ready-to-use sealing surface. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operators to perform complex alignment procedures during installation, making the operation simple and intuitive while ensuring reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is designed to self-align and self-seal when installed on the opening. The hose connection simply needs to be placed over the sealing ring, and the sealing action occurs automatically through the ring's geometry and material properties, requiring no additional adjustment or complex操作步骤 from the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If a complex sealing connection is used to ensure reliable leak detection, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is isolated to a separate, simple sealing ring component that can be manufactured using standard molding or machining processes. This segmentation allows each component (sealing ring, hose connection, collection container) to be manufactured independently using optimal, cost-effective processes, reducing overall manufacturing cost compared to a complex integrated connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing ring is designed as a simple, inexpensive component with no complex features, making it suitable for cost-effective mass production. The simplicity of the design allows for low-cost manufacturing while still providing reliable sealing performance.

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

Facilitates reliable leak detection and immediate notification, reducing the risk of measurement errors and optimizing installation by preventing seal slippage, allowing for efficient leak detection and response.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing ring (Dichtungsring) which is designed to be placed around the opening and to seal against the outer peripheral surface of the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

ensuring a reliable seal and direct flow to a leak detector via gravity, eliminating accumulation points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4338768B1Leakage connection for a dialysis machine, leakage construction equipped therewith and dialysis machine
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 B BRAUN AVITUM
  • EP4338768B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4338768B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4338768B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Disclosed are a leakage port and a leakage device for a dialysis machine, comprising a leakage collection device and such a leakage port. Preferably, the leakage port is a leakage adapter (10) arranged between an opening (8) of the leakage collection device and a hose (12). The leakage port has a main body (18) to which a seal (26) is attached, which can be brought into sealing contact with the leakage collection device. Preferably, the seal (26) is injection-molded.