Integrated Connector and Filter for Aseptic Gas Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for providing sterilized gas to medical receptacles during drug preparation are cumbersome, requiring multiple components and manipulations, and often fail to ensure aseptic conditions and prevent drug leakage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an integrated connector and container unit, pre-filled with cleaned or sterilized gas, which eliminates the need for additional equipment like syringes with air filters, allowing direct connection to medical receptacles and enabling safe, efficient transfer of substances while maintaining aseptic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special safety boxes, cabinets or isolators are used with HEPA filters to achieve aseptic conditions, then contamination prevention is improved, but space requirement and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the aseptic protection function into two segments: a compact HEPA filter integrated into the connector for local air cleaning, and a flexible bag for gas storage. This segmentation eliminates the need for large safety boxes or isolators while maintaining aseptic conditions during drug preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a flexible bag as an intermediary component that stores pre-cleaned air and delivers it to the receptacle through the connector with integrated HEPA filter. This intermediary system provides aseptic protection without requiring large fixed infrastructure like traditional safety cabinets.
2Reliability
If multiple components and manipulations are used to transfer sterilized gas (flexible bag, needle, injector device, pressure compensation means), then gas transfer is achieved, but device complexity and number of manipulations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the connector and the flexible bag into a single integrated device. The connector includes an integrated HEPA filter and is directly connected to the flexible bag, eliminating the need for separate injector devices, needles, and pressure compensation means. This integration reduces the number of manipulations required while ensuring reliable sterilized gas transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated connector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects to the receptacle, houses the HEPA filter for air cleaning, and interfaces with the flexible bag for gas delivery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate components and simplifies the overall system.
3Reliability
If air filter is attached to syringe or connection nozzle to clean air, then cleaned gas is provided, but additional equipment and manipulations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The HEPA filter is merged directly into the connector structure, eliminating the need for separate air filter attachments to syringes or connection nozzles. The filter becomes an integral part of the gas delivery system, simplifying operation while ensuring cleaned gas is provided to the receptacle.
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 device provides a rational and safe method for providing sterilized gas to medical receptacles, reducing the complexity of previous systems and ensuring aseptic handling by integrating a filter within the connector system, thus minimizing contamination risks and drug leakage.
Implementation Method 1
The integrated unit is provided with a filter for cleaning fluid passing the filter during filling the container with fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for providing sterilized or cleaned fluid to a receptacle (6) and thereby facilitate conveyance of a substance out of the receptacle, comprising a connector (2) and a container (3) which form an integrated unit (4). The connector (2) is provided with a first means (5) for connection to a receptacle (6). Sterilized or cleaned fluid is transferred from the container (3) to the receptacle (6).