Integrated Compensation Volume in Medical Fluid Transfer Apparatus

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical fluid transfer apparatuses for hazardous liquids are complex in design and handling due to separate compensation volumes that project from the main structure, complicating the fluid-tight transfer process and increasing the risk of contamination.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the compensation volume as a fluid channel section between the first and second passages, allowing it to serve both as a gas displacement receiver and a fluid conduit, simplifying the apparatus' construction and handling by eliminating the need for a separate, projecting compensation container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the compensation volume is arranged as a separate, projecting component, then it can effectively receive displaced gas volume, but the device complexity and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas displacement receptionVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation volume is merged with the fluid channel to form an integrated structure. The compensation volume forms a fluid channel section of the fluid channel, eliminating the need for a separate, projecting compensation container. This integration maintains the functional capability of receiving displaced gas volume while significantly simplifying the overall device construction and improving handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation volume is given multiple functions: it serves both as a receiver for displaced gas volume and as a fluid-conducting section of the fluid channel. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to perform both compensation and fluid transfer tasks, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the compensation volume is arranged as a separate, projecting component, then it can effectively receive displaced gas volume, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas displacement receptionVSAvoidhandling simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation volume is merged with the fluid channel to form an integrated structure. The compensation volume forms a fluid channel section of the fluid channel, eliminating the need for a separate, projecting compensation container. This integration maintains the functional capability of receiving displaced gas volume while significantly simplifying the overall device construction and improving handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the compensation volume forms part of the fluid channel, then the construction is simplified, but the fluid channel path becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidfluid channel length

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation volume is merged with the fluid channel to form an integrated structure. The compensation volume forms a fluid channel section of the fluid channel, eliminating the need for a separate, projecting compensation container. This integration maintains the functional capability of receiving displaced gas volume while significantly simplifying the overall device construction and improving handling characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation volume is arranged in a space-saving configuration that minimizes the increase in fluid channel length. By integrating the compensation volume within the existing device footprint and using three-dimensional space efficiently, the additional path length introduced by the compensation volume is minimized while still achieving the construction simplification benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12257211B2Medical fluid transfer apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG

AI summary

A medical fluid transfer apparatus for transferring hazardous liquid medication in a fluid-tight manner. The apparatus includes a first connector portion having a first passage for fluid-tight connection to a medical syringe; a second connector portion having a second passage for fluid-tight connection to a medical liquid reservoir; a fluid channel extending between the first passage and the second passage, which permits a fluid-conducting transfer of the medication liquid between the syringe and the liquid reservoir; and an equalization container having an equalization volume, which is connected to the liquid reservoir in a fluid-conducting manner, and which is designed to receive a gas volume displaced during transfer of the medication liquid out of the liquid reservoir. The first passage and the second passage are connected to each other in a fluid-conducting manner via the equalization volume, which forms a fluid channel portion of the fluid channel.