Fluid-Fitting Tool with Rotational Coupling for Constrained Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid fittings in medical and laboratory instruments are difficult to connect and disconnect due to factors such as disinfectant application, small cross-sectional width, and placement near the patient's body, leading to increased resistance and potential damage or injury during connection and disconnection processes.
Innovation Solution
A fluid-fitting tool with engagement features that rotateally couple with the fluid fitting, allowing for efficient and safe connection and disconnection by applying torque through a rotating mechanism, minimizing damage and injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disinfectant is applied to fluid fittings to prevent contamination, then infection prevention is improved, but friction and adhesion between fittings increase making disconnection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a disconnection tool as an intermediary device between the caregiver and the fluid fitting. This tool engages with the fitting's external features (such as ribs or grooves) and provides a mechanical advantage for rotation, allowing disconnection despite the increased friction from disinfectant application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluid fittings are made with small cross-sectional width for standardization, then compatibility and standardization are improved, but torque application capability deteriorates making connection and disconnection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds external rotational features (such as circumferential ribs, grooves, or flutes) to the otherwise small-diameter fitting. These features extend the interaction surface area from a simple cylindrical surface to a multi-dimensional engagement interface, allowing torque application without increasing the fitting's basic cross-sectional dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnection tool serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the limited surface area of small fittings and the torque application requirements. The tool's engagement features match the external geometry of the fitting, distributing torque forces across multiple contact points.
3Productivity
If fluid fittings are placed proximal to patient's body for accessibility, then patient care efficiency is improved, but torque application capability deteriorates due to limited space and taping
Solution Approach 1:
The specialized disconnection tool acts as an intermediary that enables torque application in constrained spaces. By engaging with external features of the fitting, the tool provides leverage and mechanical advantage without requiring the caregiver to directly grip the small fitting, thus working effectively even when the fitting is taped or positioned near the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool separates the functions of gripping and rotating by engaging with distinct external features of the fitting. This segmentation allows the tool to apply torque efficiently without requiring direct manual manipulation of the fitting itself, overcoming the limitations of proximal placement.
4Ease of operation
If improper tools like scissor, forceps, or hemostats are used to apply torque to fluid fittings, then connection and disconnection can be achieved, but injury to caregiver and patient and damage to fluid conveyance system occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the fitting with self-contained external features (such as integrated ribs, grooves, or flutes) that are specifically engineered to engage with the disconnection tool. This self-service design eliminates the need for external improvised tools, as the fitting itself provides the necessary engagement interfaces for safe and effective manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated disconnection tool serves as a safe intermediary that mediates between the caregiver's actions and the fragile fluid fitting. Unlike improvised tools that can cause injury or damage, this specialized tool is designed to interact only with the fitting's external features, distributing forces safely and preventing damage to the fitting, tubing, or patient.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid-fitting tool is disclosed that can align with and rotationally couple with a fluid fitting where the fluid-fitting tool can include a passage and an engagement feature for engaging against the fluid fitting such that when the fluid-fitting tool is spaced apart from the fluid fitting, the fluid-fitting tool can move in a longitudinal direction toward and away from the fluid fitting, and can rotate relative to the fluid fitting around a longitudinal axis of the passage, and when a portion of the fluid-fitting tool and the fluid fitting are rotationally aligned and longitudinally overlap, the fluid-fitting tool can move longitudinally relative to the fluid fitting, and the fluid fitting is rotated when the fluid-fitting tool is rotated around a longitudinal axis of the passage.