Infusion Bag Connector With Rotatable Spike for Secure Vial Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for connecting vials to infusion bags are complex and require axial movements, which can lead to difficulties in securely sealing and safely transferring medical substances, particularly toxic drugs like cytostatics.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a rotatable spike that pierces the vial septum, allowing a fluid connection to be opened and closed through rotation, with a torsion-proof mechanism to ensure secure sealing and easy handling, using positive-locking elements and a thread to facilitate piercing and prevent accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector with axial movement is used to connect vial to infusion bag, then the fluid connection can be opened and closed, but the device complexity increases and sealing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using axial movement to open/close the fluid connection, the patent inverts the approach by using rotational movement of the spike. The spike rotates within the connector housing, and this rotation is converted to axial movement of a piston that opens/closes the fluid connection. This inversion simplifies the connector structure while improving sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex axial movement mechanisms with a simpler rotational mechanism. The spike rotates about its axis, and this rotation is transmitted through a piston to open/close the fluid connection. This substitution of rotational movement for axial movement reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If axial movement is used to open/close fluid connection, then the connection can be controlled, but axial forces on the septum increase causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the mechanism by using rotational movement of the spike instead of axial movement. The spike rotates within the connector, and this rotation is converted to piston movement that controls the fluid connection. This eliminates direct axial forces on the septum while maintaining control over the fluid connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes rotational movement for axial movement to control the fluid connection. The spike rotates about its axis, and this rotation is transmitted through a piston to open/close the fluid connection. This substitution eliminates harmful axial forces on the septum while maintaining connection control.
3Ease of operation
If a simple connector design is used, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of secure sealing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses rotational movement of the spike, which is easier to operate than axial movement, while maintaining secure sealing through the piston mechanism. The rotation of the spike drives the piston to open/close the fluid connection, providing both ease of operation and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex axial movement mechanisms with simpler rotational movement. The spike rotates about its axis, and this rotation is transmitted through a piston to control the fluid connection. This substitution improves ease of operation while maintaining sealing security through the piston's reliable sealing surface.
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 design simplifies the connection process, enhances safety by reducing axial forces on the septum, and ensures a secure, tamper-evident seal, allowing easy and safe transfer of medical liquids between vials and infusion bags.
Implementation Method 1
a spike for piercing a septum of the vial to provide a fluid connection to the inner volume of the infusion bag
Implementation Method 2
the spike is designed so as to be rotatable in the connector in order to open the fluid connection from the vial to the inner volume of the infusion bag
Implementation Method 3
The spike can comprise in one configuration a thread which preferably occupies only one section of the spike. The thread preferably has fewer than two thread flights.
Implementation Method 4
The spike can have positive-locking elements which act as a torsion-proof connection in the pierced septum
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion bag has a connector for a vial. The connector has a spike for piercing the septum of the vial to establish a fluid connection to the inner volume of the infusion bag. The spike is designed to be rotatable. When the vial is rotated, the spike is rotated and the fluid connection between the vial and the inner volume of the infusion bag is opened.