Elastomeric Hydraulic Connector for Dialysis Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic connectors in medical devices, such as dialysis machines, face issues with maintaining a reliable mechanical and fluid seal under non-stationary flow conditions and varying pressure peaks, leading to potential leaks and disconnections, especially in complex circuits with unaligned components.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic connector made of an elastically deformable material with protuberances and recesses, providing a stable mechanical seal and fluid seal by ensuring optimal interference fit and resistance to pressure changes, allowing for complex configurations without compromising anchoring or sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction coupling is used to connect tubes to connectors, then mechanical seal and fluid seal are achieved, but the connection becomes unreliable under non-stationary flow conditions and pressure peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional zones: a straight portion for insertion, an elbow portion for directional change, and multiple protuberances for anchoring. The protuberances are segmented into first and second types with different orientations, allowing independent optimization of anchoring in different directions to resist pressure peaks from various flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs asymmetric design with protuberances oriented at different angles (first protuberances at one orientation, second protuberances at another orientation). This asymmetric arrangement provides differential anchoring strength in different directions, specifically tailored to counteract the non-stationary flow conditions and pressure peaks that occur during dialysis operations
2Reliability
If simple friction coupling connectors are used, then manufacturing is simple and costs are low, but sealing performance deteriorates under dynamic flow conditions and inverted flow
Solution Approach 1:
The connector merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: fluid conduit, mechanical anchor, and seal element. The protuberances serve dual purposes as both structural anchors and sealing surfaces, eliminating the need for separate sealing components while maintaining reliability under dynamic flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes the elastic properties of the elastomeric material to create a flexible sealing interface. The material's elasticity allows the connector to deform and conform to the tube under pressure, maintaining the seal during inverted flow and dynamic conditions without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If connectors are designed for complex configurations, then adaptability to different circuit arrangements is improved, but anchoring efficiency and seal performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional portions (straight portion for insertion, elbow portion for directional change, and protuberance regions for anchoring). This segmentation allows the connector to adapt to different spatial arrangements while each segment maintains its specialized function, preserving anchoring efficiency despite complex configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The connector extends anchoring into multiple spatial dimensions through protuberances oriented at different angles. The first and second protuberances provide anchoring in different directional dimensions, allowing the connector to maintain stable attachment even when subjected to forces from various directions in complex circuit arrangements
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 connector effectively maintains a secure mechanical and fluid seal even under dynamic flow conditions, preventing leaks and disconnections, while being easy to manufacture and assemble with contained costs, suitable for complex hydraulic circuits in medical devices like extracorporeal blood treatment machines.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic connector (1) made of an elastically deformable material... providing a stable mechanical seal and fluid seal by ensuring optimal interference fit and resistance to pressure changes
Implementation Method 2
The tubes are directly connected to the connectors and the connector joints are achieved by friction coupling. The friction forces generated between the smooth internal surface of the connector and the tube are strong enough to guarantee fluid seal and mechanical seal
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic connector made entirely of an elastomeric material connects tubes or other hydraulic circuit components used in machines for extracorporeal blood treatment. The hydraulic connector comprises a main body (2), which defines a conduit (3), and a predetermined number of protuberances (6) fashioned to enable a stable engagement of the connector to an end of a tubular port (7) of tubing or other hydraulic component. The conduit (3) exhibits a first longitudinal portion (3a) directed along a first development axis (9) and a second longitudinal portion (3a) directed along a second development axis (10); the axes (9, 10) do not coincide.