Transfer Cannula Extended Coupling Wall for Sterile Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transfer cannulas lack optimal handling and alignment during the sterile transfer of fluids or powders between containers, leading to potential contamination and inefficiencies in ventilation and de-aeration.

Innovation Solution

A transfer cannula design featuring line sections of different lengths with a coupling wall that extends beyond the piercing tip, providing guided insertion and protection, and movable coupling walls for improved handling and alignment, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coupling wall ends at the insertion tip level, then the device structure is compact, but handling and alignment during insertion are difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling and alignmentVSAvoidcoupling wall structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling wall is extended in the longitudinal dimension beyond the insertion tip level, creating a guide section that protrudes. This dimensional extension provides a reference surface for alignment and improves handling during insertion operations, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The extended coupling wall performs preliminary alignment and guidance actions before the insertion tip actually penetrates the closure element. By establishing proper positioning and orientation in advance, the device ensures accurate insertion while maintaining ease of handling throughout the coupling process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the piercing tip is exposed, then insertion is direct, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidinsertion directness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The extended coupling wall acts as an intermediary protective structure between the piercing tip and the external environment. It provides a barrier that reduces contamination risk while still allowing the piercing tip to perform its function, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and operational directness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If line sections have different lengths, then ventilation and de-aeration are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation and de-aerationVSAvoidline section length differential
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The design specifies particular length differentials between the first and second line sections optimized for ventilation and de-aeration functionality. By establishing specific parameter ranges rather than exact dimensions, the design achieves reliable gas management while accommodating normal manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3975973B1Transfer cannula
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 RPC FORMATEC
  • EP3975973B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3975973B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3975973B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a transfer cannula (1) for sterile transfer of fluids to powders or fluids to fluids from a first receptacle (2) into a second receptacle (3), having two tube sections (4, 5) running in the same direction which have different lengths in the longitudinal direction (L) of the tube sections (4, 5), the longer tube section (4, 5) terminating in an insertion tip (6). Furthermore, the tube sections (4, 5) are designed to be rigidly connected to a coupling wall (8) surrounding the tube sections (4, 5) in a cylindrical manner, the coupling wall (8) having, associated with each insertion tip (6) and being arranged in opposition on both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction (L) of the tube sections (4, 5), a cutout (15) which extends as far as an end edge (16) of the coupling wall (8) and in which, when viewed from the side, an insertion tip (6) of each tube section (4, 5) is exposed. In order to make further developments to a transfer cannula of the type in question in particular in a favourable manner in terms of handling, according to the invention the coupling wall (8) projects beyond the insertion tip (6) in the direction of the longitudinal extent (L) of the tube sections (4, 5), and the cut-out (15) widens in a corresponding V-shape at the end edge (16).