Medical Fluid Container Geometry for Dense Packaging and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical fluid containers, such as IV and dialysate bags, are difficult to handle, ship, and package due to their odd shapes, often requiring extra material for protection and leading to wasted space and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A container with substantially planar sidewalls and a connector that projects no further than the sidewall ends, allowing easy handling and grouping for efficient packaging, featuring a handle and a recessed access point for tubing connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional flexible bags are used for fluid delivery, then the bags can be sterilized and contain fluid, but the bags are difficult to handle and package due to their odd shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional flexible bag shapes to a container with substantially planar sidewalls and rounded corners, creating a more regular geometric form that is easier to handle and package while maintaining fluid containment capabilities
2Reliability
If traditional packaging with overwrap is used, then the bags are protected from leakage, but extra material costs are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate overwrap layer from the packaging system by integrating the protective function directly into the container structure itself, eliminating the need for additional protective materials while maintaining leakage protection
Solution Approach 2:
The container uses a multi-layer construction with a first layer providing structural integrity and a second layer providing protective functions, combining multiple material properties into a single integrated structure that replaces the need for separate overwrap
3Volume of stationary object
If traditional packaging design is used, then bags can be packaged in carton cases, but air gaps inside the cases weaken integrity and waste space
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded corners and substantially planar sidewalls of the container create a more regular geometric form that packs more efficiently into carton cases, reducing air gaps and improving both space utilization and case integrity through better load distribution
4Ease of operation
If connectors project beyond sidewalls, then tubing connection is facilitated, but the container shape is compromised for optimal packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is recessed into the container wall rather than projecting outward, nesting the connection feature within the container's geometric form. This allows tubing connection functionality to be integrated without compromising the regular external shape needed for optimal packaging
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings generally include devices, systems, kits, and methods related to containers for a liquid solution intended for transport into a patient's body—e.g., via an intravenous (IV) treatment, a dialysis treatment, and the like. A container of the present teachings may be structurally configured to be relatively easy to lift and handle, transport, and/or use. Moreover, a container of the present teachings may be sized and shaped to promote grouping of multiple containers together into a predetermined group shape, which can be beneficial for packaging, handling, and/or transport. To this end, a container of the present teachings may include substantially planar sidewalls and a base featuring a connector that projects downwardly along a z-axis no further than terminal ends of sidewalls disposed adjacent to the base, where a cross-section of the container approximates a polygon to promote the grouping of multiple containers together for packaging and transport.