Antimicrobial Needleless Connector Using Galvanic Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid transfer devices, such as needleless connectors and catheters, pose a risk of infection due to bacterial growth and microorganism transfer during prolonged exposure, as they do not effectively prevent biofilm buildup.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a galvanic cell configuration with dissimilar conductive electrodes, such as zinc and silver, within the devices to generate an electric field that combats bacterial growth by forming a redox reaction with an electrolytic solution, thereby creating an antimicrobial environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid transfer devices are used without antimicrobial mechanisms, then device simplicity and manufacturing ease are maintained, but bacterial growth and biofilm buildup occur during prolonged exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines dissimilar conductive materials (e.g., zinc and silver) directly into the fluid transfer device structure, merging the antimicrobial function with the device itself. This integration allows the device to generate galvanic cells that produce antimicrobial effects without requiring separate antimicrobial components, thereby improving infection prevention while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures with dissimilar conductive materials (such as zinc-silver combinations) to create galvanic cells. These composite material configurations enable the device to generate electrical potential differences that produce antimicrobial effects, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity by embedding the protective function within the material composition itself
2Duration of action of moving object
If prolonged exposure to fluid transfer devices occurs, then fluid transfer function is maintained, but bacterial growth and microorganism transfer increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring dissimilar conductive materials in the device that automatically generate galvanic cells upon contact with bodily fluids. This preliminary setup ensures that antimicrobial action begins immediately upon device insertion and continues throughout the entire duration of use, preventing bacterial growth before it can occur rather than addressing it after prolonged exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The galvanic cell configuration enables self-service by utilizing the electrolytic properties of bodily fluids to automatically generate electrical potential between the dissimilar conductive materials. The device self-activates its antimicrobial function without external power sources or additional components, maintaining protection throughout the duration of use as the galvanic reaction continues as long as the device remains in contact with conductive fluids
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 galvanic cell effectively reduces biofilm buildup and microbial growth on the medical devices, enhancing their antimicrobial properties and reducing the risk of infection during fluid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
at least one second electrode being spaced apart from the at least one first electrode, the at least one second electrode comprising a second conductive material different from the first conductive material and being configured to form at least one galvanic cell with the at least one first electrode
Implementation Method 2
generate an electric field that combats bacterial growth by forming a redox reaction with an electrolytic solution
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed antimicrobial medical device includes a fluid transfer device configured to couple between a patient and a fluid reservoir, a fluid pathway extending through the fluid transfer device, a first electrode coupled to the fluid transfer device, and a second electrode coupled to the fluid transfer device and spaced apart from the first electrode. The first electrode includes a first conductive material and the second electrode includes a second conductive material different from the first conductive material. The second electrode is configured to form a galvanic cell with the first electrode.