Enteral Feeding Adapter With Rotating Cap for Easy Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enteral connectors face challenges in securely connecting and disconnecting with gastrostomy tubes due to cold welding effects, leading to difficulties in separating male and female connectors, as described in ISO 80369-3 standards.
Innovation Solution
An enteral feeding adapter with a freely rotatable screw cap and a crimping fixation unit, such as a crimp ring, is designed to connect with gastrostomy tubes, ensuring a strong and easy connection by minimizing torque requirements and utilizing materials like copolyester and polypropylene for enhanced grip and ease of disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a male connector is used to connect with a female connector in enteral feeding systems, then connection is achieved, but cold welding effect prevents easy disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate parts: a male connector that connects to the gastrostomy tube and a female connector that connects to the feeding set. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the male connector can be designed for secure attachment to the tube while the female connector can be designed for easy detachment, eliminating the cold welding problem that occurs when a single male-female pair is used together.
2Reliability
If a lock portion with spiral protrusion and female threading is used, then secure connection is achieved, but large rotation torque is required for disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The screwing and locking mechanism (spiral protrusion and female threading) is extracted from the main connection interface and placed inside the lock portion. This allows the primary connection to be made simply by pushing the male connector into the female connector, while the locking mechanism serves only to maintain this pushed-in state without requiring torque for engagement or disengagement.
3Reliability
If protruding portions are fitted into receding portions for connection, then fixation is achieved, but disconnection requires large rotation torque
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism transitions from a static threaded engagement to a dynamic push-in/push-out system. The male connector is designed to be easily pushed into the female connector where it is retained by the locking mechanism, and can be easily removed by pushing it out. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for rotational torque that would be required with traditional threaded connections.
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 adapter provides a secure and effortless connection and disconnection process, maintaining compliance with ISO 80369 standards by reducing the need for excessive torque and enhancing the connection strength through crimping and snap-fit mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The crimping fixation unit may comprise protrusions on an inner surface of the crimping fixation unit, wherein the one or more protrusions are configured to increase a friction coefficient between an outer wall of a said gastrostomy tube connector and the inner wall of the crimping fixation unit
Implementation Method 2
a crimping fixation unit arranged on the tube section at a first section of the enteral feeding adapter for releasably connecting the enteral feeding adapter with a gastrostomy tube connector
Implementation Method 3
a screw cap freely rotatably arranged around the tube section at a second section of the enteral feeding adapter for connecting the enteral feeding adapter with a screw connector
Data Source
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AI summary
We generally describe an enteral feeding adapter comprising: a tube section; a crimping fixation unit arranged on said tube section at a first section of said enteral feeding adapter for releasably connecting said enteral feeding adapter with a gastrostomy tube connector; and a screw cap freely rotatably arranged around said tube section at a second section of said enteral feeding adapter for connecting said enteral feeding adapter with a screw connector.