Infusion Connector with Segmented Conduits for Independent Fluid Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current infusion sets can only administer one fluid at a time, making it cumbersome and uncomfortable for patients to manage multiple medications, and there is a risk of fluid interaction which can reduce therapeutic effectiveness, especially in conditions like diabetes where counteractive medications like insulin and glucagon are used.

Innovation Solution

A connector and infusion set design that allows for the independent administration of multiple fluids through separate fluid delivery conduits and penetrating elements, preventing fluid interaction and enabling independent control of each medication, thereby simplifying patient use and compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple infusion sets are used to administer multiple fluids, then each fluid can be administered independently, but patient compliance deteriorates due to the burden of managing multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent fluid administrationVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fluid delivery conduits into a single integrated connector body, allowing multiple fluids to be administered through one infusion set rather than requiring separate infusion sets for each fluid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple infusion sets are used to administer multiple fluids, then each fluid can be administered independently, but device complexity increases due to multiple bases and connectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent fluid administrationVSAvoidnumber of infusion sets

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fluid delivery systems into a single connector assembly with multiple conduits, reducing the number of separate devices from multiple infusion sets to one integrated system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector body is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating several fluid delivery conduits simultaneously, making a single device capable of administering multiple fluids that previously required separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If fluids are administered through a single infusion set, then patient comfort improves, but fluid interaction occurs that can reduce therapeutic effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoidtherapeutic effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the internal structure of the connector body into separate channels or compartments for each fluid conduit, preventing fluid interaction while maintaining a single external device for patient comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240374887A1connector

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 UNOMEDICAL AS

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a connector for an infusion set. The connector comprises a body and at least one arm connected to the body which is configured to couple with a base of an infusion set; wherein the body has a first portion and a second portion which are configured to be removably and replaceably coupled together; and wherein each portion has a fluid delivery conduit, the conduits being configured to allow fluidic communication of the connector with at least two independent fluid sources. Also disclosed is an infusion set.