Fluid Port With Right-Angled Bend and Protection Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elbow connectors used in flexible bags and perfusion filters can cause damage during assembly, transport, and storage by denting or rupturing the bag walls due to their design, and they introduce potential leak points and assembly complexities when changing fluid flow directions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid port with a substantially right-angled bend and a protection cap that deflects fluid flow perpendicular to the port's surface, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing the risk of damage by distributing pressure over a larger surface, and integrating seamlessly with the bag's film for a secure, leak-proof connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elbow connector is used to change fluid flow direction, then fluid flow direction can be changed, but the connector may dent or rupture the flexible bag walls during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the elbow connector function directly into the fluid port by creating a right-angled bend in the port's intermediate fluid path. This integration eliminates the separate elbow connector component that caused damage to flexible bags, while maintaining the 90-degree flow direction change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid port is divided into distinct functional segments: a first fluid connection, an intermediate fluid path with a right-angled bend, and a second fluid connection. This segmentation allows the bend to be positioned away from the bag wall contact area, preventing damage while maintaining flow direction change.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protection cap is added to protect the bend, then damage to surrounding objects is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection cap is merged with the fluid port as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The cap forms part of the port's housing structure, protecting the right-angled bend while maintaining a simple, single-component design that does not increase overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If the connection surface is sealed directly to the film, then assembly operations are eliminated and leak points are reduced, but sealing requirements become more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid port design separates the sealing function (connection surface sealing to film) from the flow direction change function (right-angled bend in intermediate path). This segmentation allows the seal to be simple and direct without requiring additional components, while the bend is positioned within the port structure away from the seal interface.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a flexible bag, a perfusion filter and a fluid port. The fluid port comprises: —a first fluid connection (3; 3′); —a second fluid connection (5; 5′) being in fluid communication with the first fluid connection (3; 3′); —an intermediate fluid path (7: 7′) connecting the first fluid connection (3; 3′) with the second fluid connection (5; 5′); wherein said intermediate fluid path (7; 7′) at least a portion of which comprises a substantially right-angled bend (9; 9′); —a protection cap (11; 11′) protecting at least the bend (9; 9′) of the intermediate fluid part (7; 7′) from contact with other objects; and —a connection surface (13; 13′) configured for sealing to a film of an object to be supplied by said port, said connection surface will, when sealed to the film of the object, together with the film provide a fluid tight seal surrounding the first fluid connection (3; 3′).