Frangible Block Medical Fluid Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical fluid connectors, particularly those used in dialysis treatments, require a multi-step process to connect fluid tubes, which can be challenging for users with weak hands or arthritis, and may result in incomplete connections leading to alarms and flow issues.
Innovation Solution
A medical fluid connector system that includes a frangible block and a flexible seal, where a quarter turn rotation of the connectors breaks the frangible block and penetrates the flexible seal, forming a hermetically sealed flow path, and provides auditory and tactile feedback for complete connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible cone is used to seal the fluid container, then the fluid connection can be securely sealed, but the user has difficulty breaking the cone due to weak hands or arthritis
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible block is segmented into multiple frangible arms that can be independently broken. This segmentation reduces the force required to break the seal, as users only need to break individual arms rather than a solid cone, making it easier for users with weak hands or arthritis while maintaining the fluid-tight seal when intact.
Solution Approach 2:
A piercing member acts as an intermediary tool to break the frangible block. The piercing member concentrates force onto small contact points on the frangible arms, enabling users with limited hand strength to effectively break the seal. The piercing member mediates between the user's limited force and the required breaking force of the frangible block.
2Reliability
If a multi-step connection process is used, then the fluid connection can be securely formed, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connection functions are merged into a single quarter-turn rotation action. The rotation simultaneously breaks the frangible block, penetrates the flexible seal, and forms the fluid connection. This merging of operations simplifies the connection process from multiple discrete steps to a single integrated motion, reducing complexity and time while ensuring reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible block and flexible seal are pre-positioned to be broken/penetrated by the quarter-turn rotation. The connector geometry is designed so that the rotation path naturally contacts and breaks the frangible arms first, then penetrates the flexible seal in sequence. This preliminary positioning ensures that the single rotation action reliably achieves both seal breaking and connection formation without requiring additional steps.
3Reliability
If a frangible cone is used, then the fluid seal is maintained, but broken-off fragments can impede solution flow during treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible block is segmented into multiple small frangible arms rather than a single large cone. When broken, these arms create smaller fragments that are less likely to impede solution flow. The segmented design ensures that even if fragments remain, their individual size is insufficient to block the flow path, while collectively they still provide an effective seal when intact.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible arms are designed to break in a controlled manner that converts the potential harm of fragments into a benefit. The breaking action is intentional and controlled, and the resulting fragments are positioned or sized such that they do not impede flow. The design accepts fragment creation as inevitable but transforms it from a harmful effect into a acceptable outcome by ensuring fragments are too small to block flow.
4Ease of operation
If users manually break the frangible component, then the connection can be made, but incomplete connections occur leading to alarms and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The seal-breaking action and connection-forming action are merged into a single quarter-turn rotation. This ensures that both actions are completed together in a reliable sequence, eliminating the possibility of incomplete connections. The rotation simultaneously breaks the frangible block and penetrates the flexible seal, providing tactile and auditory feedback that confirms complete connection, thus preventing alarms and delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector provides tactile and auditory feedback during the quarter-turn rotation to indicate when the frangible block is broken and the flexible seal is penetrated. This feedback mechanism confirms to the user that the connection is complete and correct, eliminating uncertainty and preventing incomplete connections that would lead to alarms and treatment delays.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect a medical fluid connector, includes: a first end including an opening configured to allow fluid flow into the medical fluid connector; a second end including an opening configured to allow fluid flow out of the medical fluid connector; an interior volume forming a flow path extending from the first end to the second end; a frangible block forming a first seal in the flow path at a location between the first end and the second end, the frangible block configured to be broken to break the first seal and allow fluid flow around the frangible block; and a flexible seal forming a second seal in the flow path at a location between the frangible block and the second end.