Fluid Transfer Connection Lever Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid transfer devices in medical settings face challenges with easy detachment from hubs connected to patients, particularly with Luer lock and Luer slip connections, leading to risks of injury and contamination due to the need for two-handed operation and potential twisting or jerking actions, which can cause tissue damage and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer device equipped with a lever member that pivotally moves relative to the fluid transfer tip, allowing for a screw fit connection in addition to a friction fitting, enabling one-handed disconnection by pivoting the lever member to release the screw fit and subsequently the friction fitting, thereby reducing the risk of injury and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Luer lock connection with threaded collar is used, then connection security is improved, but operation complexity increases requiring two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded collar is extracted from the main body and mounted on a separate lever member. When the lever is actuated, the collar is pulled away from the hub, releasing the threaded connection. This separates the locking function from the body, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is made movable relative to the hub through the lever mechanism. The collar can dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged states, allowing the connection to be securely locked during use and easily released when needed, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a Luer slip friction fit connection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but connection security deteriorates allowing accidental detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two connection mechanisms: a friction fit between the hub and tip, and a threaded collar for additional security. The friction fit provides easy operation while the threaded collar ensures connection security, combining the advantages of both Luer slip and Luer lock connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded collar is pre-positioned to engage with the hub's external thread before the friction fit is fully established. This preliminary threading action secures the connection initially, preventing accidental detachment while maintaining ease of operation through the lever mechanism.
3Reliability
If two-handed operation is required for unscrewing, then connection security is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever mechanism provides mechanical advantage, allowing a single hand to generate sufficient force to release the threaded collar. The system serves itself by amplifying the user's input force through the lever's fulcrum, eliminating the need for a second hand while maintaining connection security during the attachment phase.
4Ease of operation
If the hub is held with fingers during detachment, then control is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever member acts as an intermediary tool between the user's hand and the connection. Instead of holding the hub directly with fingers, the user operates the lever, which in turn manipulates the threaded collar. This intermediary mechanism provides control during detachment while preventing direct finger contact with the hub, reducing contamination risk.
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
The solution facilitates safe and efficient one-handed operation for disconnecting fluid transfer devices from hubs, reducing the risk of needlestick injuries and contamination, and improving workflow efficiency by eliminating the need for two-handed unscrewing actions.
Implementation Method 1
The lever member is operable to move the latch between at least two different positions... enabling one-handed disconnection by pivoting the lever member
Implementation Method 2
the lever member is resiliently biased so that the screw thread is positioned to form a screw fit with the hub
Implementation Method 3
a tapered friction fitting for a corresponding hub... enable a hub to be connected to the tip by a screw fit in addition to the friction fitting
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid transfer device or connection with a fluid transfer tip that has a tapered friction fitting for a corresponding hub. A lever member is pivotally mounted to move relative to the fluid transfer tip. A latch such as a screw thread is mounted on the lever member to engage the hub and provide a positive connection e.g., screw fit in addition to the friction fitting. The lever member may optionally be resiliently biased by a spring. The hub is disconnected from the tip by pivoting the lever member to release the positive connection with the hub and to subsequently release the hub from the friction fitting.