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, with a locking and rotation-enabling element that activates upon connection of fluid containers, allowing free rotation and preventing accidental disconnection, and optionally featuring a snap fit mechanism or membrane for leak-free 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 connection and disconnection is improved, but the risk of accidental disconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions from a locked state (preventing rotation and disconnection) to an unlocked state (allowing rotation and controlled disconnection). The resilient element maintains continuous pressure to keep the protrusion engaged with the recess, providing automatic locking upon connection while requiring deliberate action for disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector performs self-locking through the interaction between the protrusion and recess under the influence of the resilient element. Once connected, the components automatically engage and lock without requiring additional locking actions from the user. The resilient element continuously applies force to maintain the locked state, making the system self-regulating.
2Reliability
If connector components are made non-disconnectable once connected, then reliability is improved, but the ability to enable rotation for fluid transfer is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The connector provides two distinct operational states: a locked state where rotation is prevented and disconnection is impossible, and an unlocked state where rotation is enabled and controlled disconnection is possible. The resilient element and protrusion-recess mechanism dynamically transition between these states based on connection status and user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to automatically lock upon initial connection, performing the locking action preliminarily before any fluid transfer operation. This ensures reliability is established first, and only after secure connection is confirmed can the user activate rotation by deliberately disengaging the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: a protrusion on one component, a corresponding recess on the other component, and a resilient element providing the locking force. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently while working together as an integrated system, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element acts as an intermediary between the protrusion and recess, providing the necessary locking force without requiring complex mechanical linkages. This simple intermediary component translates the connection motion into automatic locking, maintaining system simplicity while achieving reliable accident prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
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 is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to said second component before a second fluid container is connected to said second component and/or before a first fluid container is connected to the first component. The connector comprises a locking and rotation-enabling element that is arranged to be activated once a second fluid container has been connected to said 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.