Genderless Aseptic Fluid Connector With Removable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors in biopharmaceutical applications are complex, require multiple assembly steps, and often involve fragile parts, making them difficult to use aseptically and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A genderless fluid connector with a tubular body, flange, and slider mechanism that allows for aseptic connection without rotation, featuring a locking slider and removable membrane for easy disconnection, ensuring sterility and robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional aseptic connectors are used, then sterility is ensured, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple assembly steps and fragile parts
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional elements: a tubular body for fluid passage, a flange for structural support and alignment, a sealing element for sterility barrier, and a slider mechanism for locking. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing interdependencies that cause complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The genderless connector design allows the same connector type to be used for both male and female connections, eliminating the need for different connector variants. The flange serves multiple functions: structural support, alignment guidance, and mounting surface. The slider mechanism provides both locking and sealing functions, reducing the total number of components needed.
2Reliability
If traditional aseptic connectors with multiple assembly steps are used, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is pre-installed in the tubular body before use, ensuring the sterility barrier is already in place before the connection is made. The slider mechanism is pre-configured in the unlocked position, allowing for quick insertion and automatic locking without requiring multiple manual assembly steps during the connection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider mechanism automatically locks the connection when the tubular bodies are joined, eliminating the need for manual locking steps. The genderless design with aligned flanges provides self-alignment during insertion, reducing the skill level and time required for proper connection assembly.
3Reliability
If connectors with fragile latching parts are used, then locking reliability is improved, but ease of repair and handling deteriorates due to fragile components
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed as a disposable single-use component, eliminating the need for complex repair mechanisms. The entire connector assembly including the slider mechanism is manufactured as an integrated unit that can be discarded after use, avoiding the need to handle or repair fragile individual components. This approach prioritizes ease of operation by eliminating repair needs entirely.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The connector (1) has a body (2) provided with a flange (3), forming a central opening (O) between a female member (31) and a male member (32). The planar flange face (F3) has an axial access (30) of the female member and the male member (32) protrudes axially from the flange face. A membrane (M) removably attached to the connector covers this face to seal the opening, so that a genderless connecting device is obtained, allowing mating engagement of the connector (1) with an identical complementary connector (101). A clipping interface forming the female member allows locking a pre-coupled state of these connectors (1, 101) with each membrane still present. The flange of the connector (1) houses a slider (10) adapted to contact the mating insert (104) of the male member engaged through the axial access (30). The slider allows locking and/or unlocking a final position of the insert.