High Flow Enteral Connector Resolving Flow Constriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ISO 80369-3 standard for small-bore enteral connectors, while preventing misconnections with IV catheters, faces issues with flow constriction and clogging, especially with viscous blenderized food, due to a reduced internal flow path of 2.95 mm, which is insufficient for gravity and bolus syringe feedings.
Innovation Solution
A high flow enteral connector system that maintains compatibility with the ISO 80369-3 screw thread design while increasing the internal flow passageway diameter to 5.75 mm, featuring a resilient internal sealing surface and a tapered tip projection for a fluid-tight compressive contact sealing engagement, preventing clogging and ensuring compatibility with all ISO 80369-3 systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ISO 80369-3 standard screw-type connection is used, then misconnection with IV catheters is prevented, but flow constriction and clogging occur with viscous blenderized food
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a male connector and a female connector. Each component has its own flow passageway, allowing the male connector to maintain the standard thread design for misconnection prevention while the female connector provides a larger flow path to accommodate viscous fluids without clogging.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the internal flow path is reduced to 2.95 mm, then compatibility with ISO 80369-3 standard is achieved, but flow constriction and clogging problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the connector system have different flow path dimensions. The male connector uses the standard 2.95 mm flow path for compatibility, while the female connector incorporates a larger internal flow path to handle viscous fluids, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction between standard compliance and flow capability.
3Productivity
If a larger internal flow path is used, then clogging is prevented, but compatibility with ISO 80369-3 standard is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector into male and female components, the system can have the male connector conform to the 2.95 mm ISO standard for compatibility, while the female connector provides a larger flow path for viscous fluid delivery, thus resolving the contradiction between standard compatibility and flow capability.
4Device complexity
If the flow path is constricted, then connector size is reduced, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The two-component design separates the flow path into distinct male and female sections, making it easier to clean and maintain each component individually. The segmented structure eliminates the difficult-to-reach crevices found in single-piece connectors, improving cleaning accessibility while maintaining compact size.
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 significantly increases fluid flow volume, preventing clogging and reducing component replacement costs, while being easier to clean and maintain, thus enhancing patient safety and system longevity.
Implementation Method 1
the second part has a resilient internal circular sealing surface area positioned below the internal threaded configuration. Once the first part is fully threadably engaged with the second part, the first part rigid circular tapered tip projection portion engages and forms a fluid tight compressive contact sealing engagement with the resilient internal circular sealing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A two-part enteral connector system having first and second parts. The first part has a housing with an internal fluid flow passageway and the housing further includes external thread elements and a tip projection portion. The second part also has a housing with an internal fluid flow passageway and mating internal thread elements and resilient internal sealing surface area such that the first part is threadably engageable with the second part in an ISO 80369-3 thread compatible connection to form a liquid tight sealable engagement between the two parts such that the joined fluid flow passageways provide a high flow fluid flow passageway in excess of the 2.95 mm flow path of the existing ISO 80369-3 enteral small-bore connector flow path.