Elastomeric Throughflow Body for Fluid Line Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid line elements require sterilization and have complex structures due to direct contact between adjacent connectors, leading to complications in fluid line arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A fluid line element with a throughflow body made from a material with a lower elasticity modulus than the element body, which serves as a valve seat and facilitates sealing between elements, allowing for independent sterilization and simplification of the structure by using a throughflow body for sealing and valve functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterile connectors are used for connection, then sealing is improved, but device complexity increases and sterilization requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the connector from rigid sterile material to elastomeric material with specific elasticity modulus (0.5-5 MPa), enabling deformation-based sealing instead of rigid connector sealing. This eliminates the need for complex sterile connector structures while maintaining reliable sealing through material compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastomeric connector body that deforms under compression to create sealing contact with the adjoining element. The flexible elastomeric material forms a compliant sealing interface that adapts to surface variations, replacing rigid sterile connectors with a flexible deformation-based sealing mechanism.
2Strength
If rigid material is used for element body, then structural strength is improved, but sealing capability at connection sites deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the system: the element body uses rigid material for structural strength, while the connector body uses soft elastomeric material for sealing. This local differentiation of material quality enables both structural integrity and effective sealing at connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining rigid element bodies with elastomeric connector bodies. The rigid-rubber hybrid construction allows the rigid portion to provide structural support while the elastomeric portion provides compliant sealing, achieving both strength and sealing reliability simultaneously.
3Reliability
If multiple sterile connectors are used in fluid line arrangement, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing and sterilization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from complex sterile connectors and implements it through simple elastomeric deformation. By removing the sterile connector requirement and using inherent elastomeric compliance for sealing, the system simplifies manufacturing and sterilization processes while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric connector bodies can be designed as disposable components that are inexpensive to manufacture and sterilize. The simple elastomeric structure allows for cost-effective production and straightforward sterilization procedures compared to complex sterile connector assemblies.
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 solution enables the creation of a simpler and more effective fluid line arrangement with improved sealing and sterilization capabilities, allowing for flexible use in forming fluid line sections and branching configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a throughflow body formed separately from the element body is provided, which forms a part of the flow channel and is formed from a material having a lower elasticity modulus than the material of the element body
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid line element for building a fluid line section comprising a plurality of identical fluid line elements, wherein the fluid line element comprises: —an element body, —a first throughflow opening provided on the element body and a second throughflow opening, different from the first, —and a flow channel provided in the element body, which fluidically connects the first and the second throughflow openings for throughflow along a channel path. In a first region of the fluid line element, located closer to the first than to the second throughflow opening, a throughflow body formed separately from the element body is provided, which —forms a part of the flow channel, —is formed from a material having a lower elasticity modulus than the material of the element body, and —on the longitudinal end thereof facing into the interior of the element body, comprises a valve seat formation surrounding the channel path.