Fluid Connector Locking Mechanism Prevents Accidental Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical connectors with female and male luer-lock elements risk accidental disconnection, leading to contamination risks, especially when handling toxic fluids, and can induce undesirable twists in medical lines during fluid transfer.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a first component non-rotatably connected to a second component until a locking and rotation-enabling element is activated upon connection of fluid containers, allowing free rotation and ensuring irreversible locking to prevent accidental disconnection, with options for automatic or manual activation and incorporating protrusions, slots, and snap fit mechanisms for secure fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a male luer-lock element is freely screwable into a female luer-lock element, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a static locking state to a dynamic unlocked state only when specific conditions are met (connection of fluid container). The locking element can rotate freely after activation, allowing the connector to adapt its state based on operational requirements while maintaining security during critical phases
Solution Approach 2:
The connector changes its mechanical state parameters from locked to unlocked based on the connection status of the fluid container. The locking element's rotational freedom is controlled by parameter changes triggered when the fluid container is properly connected, transforming the connection from restrictive to flexible
2Reliability
If the connector is made non-disconnectable, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to disconnect when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The connector provides dynamic control over disconnection capability. It maintains a locked state during critical operations to prevent accidental disconnection, but allows intentional unlocking when operational requirements demand disconnection, transforming from a static non-disconnectable design to a dynamically controllable system
3Ease of operation
If the connector allows free rotation, then ease of operation is improved for aligning components, but reliability deteriorates due to potential twisting of medical lines
Solution Approach 1:
The connector performs preliminary locking before allowing rotation. The locking element secures the basic connection first, preventing excessive twisting of medical lines, and then permits controlled rotation for alignment purposes. This preliminary action ensures that rotation occurs only within safe parameters that protect medical line integrity
4Reliability
If the locking element is activated automatically upon connection, then reliability is improved by preventing accidental disconnection, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element activates automatically through the connection action itself, without requiring separate activation mechanisms. The act of connecting the fluid container to the connector directly triggers the locking state, allowing the system to service itself and eliminate the need for additional complex activation components
Data Source
AI summary
This document provides connectors such as a connector for enabling fluid transfer between a first fluid container and a second fluid container, which connector comprises a first component that is arranged to be connected to a first fluid container and a second component that is arranged to be connected to a second fluid container. The first component can be non-rotatably connected to the second component before a second fluid container is connected to the second component and/or before a first fluid container is connected to the first component. The connector can comprise a locking and rotation-enabling element that is arranged to be activated once a second fluid container has been connected to the second component, and/or once a first fluid container has been connected to the first component, which locking and rotation-enabling element enables the first component and the second component to rotate freely with respect to one another.