Dual Material Y-Connector with Composite Core and Elastomer Overlayer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical tubing systems, particularly Y-connectors, face challenges in fabrication, assembly, and operation, especially in ensuring secure fluid delivery and ease of use, as they often lack ergonomic design and effective sealing mechanisms, leading to potential clogging and improper flow issues.
Innovation Solution
A dual material Y-connector is developed, featuring a rigid plastic inner core and a pliable thermoplastic elastomer over-layer, with threaded caps having ridges and multi-indentation configurations for improved gripping and sealing, and a design that allows fluid communication through a primary and secondary arm convergence, reducing the risk of clogging and enhancing ergonomic handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid plastic material is used for the Y-connector body, then structural strength and stability are improved, but ease of gripping and handling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The Y-connector employs a composite structure combining a rigid plastic inner core (providing structural strength) with an overmolded elastomeric material layer (providing enhanced gripping characteristics). This dual-material construction resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to fulfill its optimal function - the rigid core maintains structural integrity while the elastomeric outer layer provides slip-resistant gripping surfaces.
2Reliability
If threaded caps are added to seal Y-connector ports, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded caps are integrated into the overall Y-connector assembly as unified components rather than separate attachments. The caps feature tethering elements that connect them to the connector body, merging the sealing function with the structural design. This integration approach maintains reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple arms converge in the Y-connector, then fluid delivery functionality is improved, but risk of clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Y-connector design ensures smooth transitions and equipotential flow paths at the convergence point of multiple arms. The internal geometry is optimized to eliminate dead zones, turbulence, and pressure differentials that could cause fluid stagnation. This equipotential design maintains versatile fluid delivery capability while minimizing the risk of clogging by ensuring continuous, balanced flow throughout all ports.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual material Y-connector for use in connection with medical tubing systems and the like includes an inner core made of a first material such as a rigid plastic material and an over-layer made of a second material such as a pliable thermoplastic elastomer. The Y-connector comprises a primary arm, a secondary arm and a convergence arm all in fluid communication with one another and may include a tubing segment bonded to the Y-connector convergence arm. The first material can be a transparent copolyester and the second material can be a translucent thermoplastic elastomer. Threaded caps having a multi-indentation configuration can be tethered to one or more arms and be configured to seal one or more Y-connector ports.