Heating Device Fastening for Leak-Proof Medical Fluid Chambers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory gas humidifiers require complex screw connections for attaching heating and temperature measuring devices, which are difficult for patients with limited motor skills to assemble and disassemble, leading to potential leaks or damage.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement with a movable component that locks and unlocks the heating and temperature measuring device, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without requiring significant rotational movement or torque, using a positive and/or non-positive connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screw connection is used to attach the heating and temperature measuring device, then the connection can be made secure and leak-proof, but the assembly and disassembly become difficult for users with limited motor skills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak-proof connectionVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The screw connection is divided into a screw element with threaded outer surface and a receiving element with threaded inner surface. The screw element can be easily inserted into and removed from the receiving element by simple linear motion, eliminating the need for rotational tightening while maintaining secure threaded engagement for leak-proof connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring rotational motion to tighten and secure the connection, the invention inverts the approach by using simple linear insertion to engage the threaded elements. The securing function is achieved through the threaded geometry itself during insertion, rather than through rotational tightening, making it accessible to users with limited motor skills.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If insufficient torque is applied during screwing, then the assembly process is easier, but water may leak from the fluid chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidleak prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional screwing process by eliminating the need for torque application. The threaded engagement occurs automatically during linear insertion, and the sealing is achieved through the design of the threaded interface itself, not through forceful tightening. This eliminates the risk of under-torquing while maintaining ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If excessive torque is applied during screwing, then the connection becomes more secure, but the plastic parts or threads may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidcomponent integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the user to apply and control torque to achieve secure connection, the invention inverts the process by using simple linear insertion to engage the threaded elements. The threaded geometry provides inherent mechanical engagement and sealing without requiring forceful tightening, thereby preventing damage to plastic parts and threads while ensuring connection security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If a bayonet closure is used, then the assembly becomes easier with less torque required, but the connection may not be as secure as a traditional screw connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into distinct threaded elements (screw element and receiving element) that engage through linear motion. This segmentation allows for easy assembly while the threaded engagement provides secure, leak-proof connection, combining the advantages of both bayonet closure ease and traditional screw connection security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the bayonet closure concept by using linear insertion instead of rotational motion to engage the connection. The threaded geometry provides the securing function that traditionally required rotational tightening, while the linear insertion path maintains the ease of operation characteristic of bayonet closures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4606411A1Fixation of a heating and/or temperature measuring device in and/or to a medical device

Publication Date: 2025.08.27 LOWENSTEIN MEDICAL TECH SA

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AI summary

A fastening arrangement (1) for a medical device comprises: a receiving element (8) that can be fastened to a fastening section of the medical device; an insertion element (6) that can be inserted into the receiving element (8) and that comprises a heating and/or temperature measuring device (2, 4) for heating and/or measuring a temperature of a liquid and/or a gas in a liquid chamber (30) of the medical device;a connecting element (10) for connecting the insertion element (6) to the receiving element (8), wherein the connecting element (10) comprises a component (12) which is movable relative to the receiving element (8) and/or to the insertion element (6) between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein the movable component (12) is designed to lock the insertion element (6) inserted into the receiving element (8) in the locking position so that removal of the insertion element (6) from the receiving element (8) is not possible, and to release it in the unlocking position so that removal is possible.;