Dual Rotary Valve Cap for Aseptic Leak-Free Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic coupling systems are complex and often result in excessive fluid leakage when disconnecting, leading to potential biological contamination, necessitating additional clamping devices to prevent exposure to the environment.
Innovation Solution
A cap closure system with dual rotary valves and conduits that provide aseptic seals through mechanical action, allowing for secure fluid communication and isolation between sections, ensuring sterility during connection and disconnection processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional aseptic coupling systems are used, then fluid communication between components is achieved, but excessive fluid leakage occurs during disconnection leading to biological contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two separate sections: an upper section with an upper rotary valve and a lower section with a lower rotary valve. Each section can be independently sealed and disconnected. The segmentation allows the fluid pathway to be closed at both the upper and lower ends simultaneously, preventing fluid leakage during disconnection without requiring external clamping devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valves are designed to close the fluid pathways before the actual disconnection of the coupling. By rotating the valves to the closed position, the fluid communication is terminated in advance, ensuring that no fluid can leak when the upper and lower sections are separated. This preliminary closing action eliminates the need for additional clamping devices.
2Reliability
If conventional aseptic coupling systems are used, then fluid communication is established, but additional clamping devices are required to prevent fluid exposure to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function and the valve control function are merged into a single integrated cap structure. The upper and lower rotary valves are built-in components that work together to seal the fluid pathway. This integration eliminates the need for separate external clamping devices, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable aseptic sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valves serve multiple functions: they control fluid flow during operation and provide automatic sealing during disconnection. This multi-functionality allows the cap to maintain fluid pathway integrity without requiring additional specialized components like clamps, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If dual rotary valves with independent control are implemented, then aseptic seal integrity is maintained during disconnection, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dual rotary valve system is segmented into an upper valve in the upper section and a lower valve in the lower section. Each valve is independently controlled and can be operated separately. This segmentation allows for simple, modular valve designs that are easier to manufacture and maintain compared to a single complex valve system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valves are designed to be manually operated by the user without requiring additional control mechanisms or external devices. Each valve can be independently rotated to open or close the fluid pathway. This self-service design eliminates the need for complex automated control systems, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable aseptic sealing.
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 system effectively maintains sterility and minimizes fluid leakage during aseptic connections and disconnections, eliminating the need for additional clamping devices and ensuring the integrity of the fluid pathway.
Implementation Method 1
a cap or closure system that includes a mechanical action seals which, when closed, provide an aseptic seal through use of mechanical (plug) seals
Data Source
AI summary
An aseptic closure system for attaching to a container including an upper section and a lower section that are removably attached to one another. Each section includes a valve housing with a rotary valve mounted in a bore extending through the valve housing. The upper section has an inlet port and an outlet port, each with a conduit providing fluid communication through the port to an interior of the upper valve housing. The lower section is adapted to mount to a container. The lower valve housing includes two conduits that permit fluid communication through the lower valve housing to an interior of the lower section. The rotation of the rotary valves closes off flow through the conduits in the respective housings.