Fluid Transfer Device with Longitudinal Opening for Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transferring fluids from containers with sealing members often result in leakage and contamination, especially when withdrawing the last few drops of medical fluids, and are not adaptable to various sealing member configurations and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a piercing member and an elongated body featuring multiple openings along its length to ensure efficient fluid transfer, including a retractable sleeve for sealing and connecting means to prevent leakage, and a ruled scale for precise insertion, allowing for safe and convenient use with different container types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cannula or spike is used to withdraw the last few drops of medical fluid from a container, then fluid transfer is enabled, but leakage and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the opening into multiple segments arranged along the longitudinal flow channel. This segmentation allows different portions of the opening to be positioned at different depths, ensuring that at least one segment remains adjacent to the innermost side of the sealing member during retraction, maintaining sealing performance while enabling complete fluid withdrawal.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening is extended from a single point into a longitudinal structure that spans multiple positions along the flow channel. This dimensional transformation from a point opening to a distributed longitudinal opening ensures continuous sealing contact with the sealing member throughout the retraction process.
2Reliability
If a spike with air inlet is used for rigid containers, then vacuum formation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be universally applicable to both rigid and flexible containers, as well as different sealing member configurations. The longitudinal opening structure automatically adapts to provide both fluid transfer and vacuum prevention functions without requiring additional components, simplifying the overall device design.
3Device complexity
If conventional single opening devices are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but complete fluid drainage is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is segmented into multiple portions distributed along the longitudinal flow channel, with each segment capable of accessing fluid at different levels. This segmentation enables complete drainage of the container as the device can maintain fluid communication throughout the retraction process, unlike conventional single-opening devices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sealing members vary in configuration and thickness, then sealing member versatility is improved, but device adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal opening provides different functional zones at different positions along the flow channel. This local quality variation allows the device to adapt to different sealing member thicknesses and configurations, with the opening segments automatically positioning themselves appropriately relative to the sealing member innermost side during insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transferring a fluid to and/or from a fluid container having a sealing member. The device includes a piercing member for penetrating the sealing member and an elongated body defining a longitudinal flow channel through which a fluid may flow into and/or out of the fluid container and at least one opening that communicates with the flow channel. The at least one opening is arranged to extend along at least 1% of the length (l) of the piercing member to ensure that at least part of the at least one opening is located substantially adjacent to the innermost side of a sealing member when the device is in use.