Fluid Connector Valve Structure for Secure IV Line Reconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid connections in medical settings, such as IV lines, often dislodge unintentionally due to unexpected forces, leading to potential patient injury, infection, and medication delays.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector system with a deformable valve member and movable flange that selectively prevents or allows fluid flow, resisting disconnection by applying a threshold force and facilitating reconnection, ensuring secure and safe fluid pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a medical fluid connection is designed to be secure and resistant to disconnection, then connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like deformable valve members and movable flanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve function and connection security function into a single integrated component structure. The deformable valve member is incorporated within the connector housing, and the movable flange serves both as a structural element and as the actuating mechanism for valve operation. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving both secure connection and automated valve control.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable valve member is designed to automatically respond to connection and disconnection events without requiring external control. When the connector is assembled, the valve member is compressed and closes the valve opening, preventing fluid flow. When disconnected, the biasing force automatically opens the valve. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for separate control systems while maintaining reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a deformable valve member is used to prevent fluid flow during disconnection, then patient safety is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for accurate sealing surfaces and deformable material properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the deformable valve member material, allowing it to change shape in response to compression and biasing forces. The material is selected to have specific elastic characteristics that enable reliable sealing when compressed during connection and automatic opening when the compressive force is removed. This approach to using material parameter changes achieves safe fluid flow control without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the sealing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing force mechanism is pre-configured to ensure the valve member is automatically positioned in the open state before connection occurs. This beforehand preparation ensures that when the connector is assembled, the valve member is compressed and closes the valve opening, preventing fluid flow. The pre-set biasing force provides a safety margin that accommodates normal variations in manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Ease of operation
If a movable flange with protrusion is used to actuate the valve member, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional moving parts and their interaction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The movable flange is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the connector, acts as the actuating mechanism for the valve member through its protrusion, and guides the alignment of the connector during assembly. The protrusion on the movable flange engages with the deformable valve member, using the flange's movement to automatically open or close the valve. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuating components while maintaining ease of operation.
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 connector system effectively prevents unintended disconnection, reducing patient and caregiver risk, maintaining fluid flow integrity, and enabling easy reassembly, thus preventing injuries and medication delays.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable valve member disposed within the housing volume and comprising a spherical portion extending partially through the valve opening, wherein the spherical portion defines a slit, and the deformable valve member is configured to selectively prevent fluid flow from the housing volume through the valve opening and to deform to expand the slit and permit fluid flow from the housing volume through the valve opening
Implementation Method 2
a spherical valve member disposed within the housing volume, wherein the spherical valve member is configured to selectively obstruct the valve opening to prevent fluid flow from the housing volume through the valve opening and to displace away from the valve opening and permit fluid flow from the housing volume through the valve opening
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid connector systems including first and second connector portions couplable together to form a fluid pathway therethrough, and can resist fluid flow through the connector when the connector portions are separated from each other. A connector portion can include a connector housing, a luer portion, and a deformable valve member. The deformable valve member is disposed within the connector housing and includes a spherical portion extending partially through a valve opening of the connector housing. The spherical portion defines a slit, and the deformable valve member is configured to selectively prevent fluid flow from the housing volume through the valve opening and to deform to expand the slit and permit fluid flow from the housing volume through the valve opening.