Fluid Transfer Device With Longitudinal Openings for Sealing Member Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transferring fluids from containers with sealing members often result in leakage, contamination, and inefficiency, especially when withdrawing the last few drops of medical fluids, due to the variability in sealing member configurations and the risk of introducing air and particles.
Innovation Solution
A device with a piercing member and an elongated body featuring a longitudinal flow channel and multiple openings along its length, which ensures efficient fluid transfer by positioning openings adjacent to the innermost side of the sealing member, and includes a retractable sleeve and connecting means to prevent leakage and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional spike or cannula is used to withdraw fluid from the container, then fluid can be transferred, but the last few drops cannot be completely withdrawn and may leak or contaminate the surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the single opening into multiple openings distributed along the piercing member's length. This segmentation allows the opening to span across the sealing member's thickness, ensuring complete fluid withdrawal while maintaining reliable sealing by distributing the seal contact across multiple points rather than relying on a single opening position.
2Reliability
If the opening is positioned far from the sealing member, then the piercing member can penetrate easily, but the opening cannot effectively seal against the sealing member to prevent leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is extended along the length dimension of the piercing member rather than being positioned at a single location. This dimensional extension allows the opening to reach from the outer surface through the sealing member thickness to the inner surface, creating effective sealing contact without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single opening is used in the piercing member, then the device structure is simple, but the opening may not be positioned correctly relative to varying sealing member thicknesses and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing member with multiple openings serves multiple functions: it acts as both a piercing element and a sealing interface. The distributed opening configuration provides universality across different sealing member types and thicknesses, allowing the same device design to adapt to various sealing configurations without requiring modification.
4Reliability
If the piercing member is retractable to withdraw fluid, then fluid can be transferred, but air and particles may be drawn into the cannula contaminating the medical fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the fluid container. By positioning multiple openings along the piercing member to contact the sealing member's inner surface, the system maintains a sealed interface that prevents air and particles from entering the cannula during fluid withdrawal while still allowing complete fluid transfer.
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
Enables complete drainage of fluid containers, improves mixing by increasing fluid flow and turbulence, and is suitable for various sealing member thicknesses and configurations, reducing contamination and waste while ensuring safe and convenient use.
Implementation Method 1
a piercing member for penetrating the sealing member and an elongated body defining a longitudinal flow channel through which a fluid may flow into or out of the fluid container
Implementation Method 2
improves mixing by increasing fluid flow and turbulence
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (24) for transferring a fluid (22) to and/or from a fluid container (12) having a sealing member (14). The device (24) comprises a piercing member (16) for penetrating the sealing member (14) and an elongated body defining a longitudinal flow channel (18) through which a fluid (22) may flow into and/or out of the fluid container (12) and at least one opening (20) that communicates with the flow channel (18). Said at least one opening (20) is arranged to extend along at least 1% of the length (l) of the piercing member (16) to ensure that at least part of said at least one opening (20) is located substantially adjacent to the innermost side (14b) of a sealing member (14) when the device is in use.