Closed Fluid Coupling With Eccentric Spike for Adapter-Free Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coupling systems for closed fluid transfer systems, such as those used for CMR drugs, require multiple types of coupling members, are difficult to disinfect due to poor accessibility of coupling surfaces, and often necessitate adapters for connections, complicating handling and increasing manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A pair of complementary coupling members with a coupling housing, sealing member receptacle, and eccentrically positioned spike, allowing angular offset connection without adapters, featuring movable sealing members and fluid openings for fluid communication, and a compressible sealing member to ensure fluid-tightness and easy disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different coupling members are used for connection in closed fluid transfer systems, then fluid-tight connection is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid-tight connectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member is designed with universal functionality where a single type of coupling member can connect to itself through angular offset, eliminating the need for different coupling member types. The coupling housing, sealing member receptacle, and spike configuration enable the same component to serve multiple connection purposes, reducing device complexity while maintaining fluid-tight connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of different coupling members into a single unified design. By integrating the sealing mechanism, fluid communication path, and connection interface into one standardized coupling member that can connect to itself, the system consolidates multiple component types into a single universal component, reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If adapters are used to enable connections between coupling members, then connection versatility is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection versatilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling member achieves universal adaptability through its self-connecting design with angular offset capability. The same coupling member can connect to any other identical coupling member without requiring adapters, providing connection versatility while simplifying operation. The standardized interface and connection mechanism eliminate the need for additional adapter components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for adapters from the connection system. By designing the coupling member with inherent angular offset connection capability, the system removes the intermediary adapter component entirely, allowing direct connection between coupling members and significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If coupling surfaces are positioned for connection, then fluid communication is achieved, but accessibility for disinfection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid communicationVSAvoidaccessibility for disinfection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves the disinfection accessibility issue by introducing angular offset connection in a different spatial dimension. The coupling surfaces are positioned to connect at a 90-degree angle rather than end-to-end, which maintains fluid communication reliability while exposing the coupling surfaces to better accessibility for disinfection from multiple directions, eliminating the narrow accessibility problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances handling and reduces manufacturing complexity by allowing structurally identical coupling members to connect easily, ensuring fluid-tightness and minimizing fluid residue, while simplifying disinfection and reducing the need for adapters.

Implementation Method 1

a compressible sealing member to ensure fluid-tightness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS12508412B2Coupling element for a closed fluid transfer system, attachment for a coupling element of this type, coupling system, and coupling kit

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG

AI summary

A pair of coupling members for a joint closed fluid transfer system. Each coupling member of the pair of coupling members includes a coupling housing having a longitudinal axis, a fluid connection, and a coupling side. A sealing member receptacle, which is arranged in the coupling housing, includes at least one fluid-tight chamber formed by at least one sealing member arranged in the sealing member receptacle. A spike in the coupling housing in a spike receptacle, in particular a spike arranged eccentrically in the coupling housing, fluidly communicates with the fluid connection. In a first embodiment, the coupling members are each complementary to one another, in particular identical in construction, and are connectable without an adapter by a relative angular offset about their longitudinal axis, preferably by a relative angular offset of 90°.