Reusable Cap Assembly for Needle-Free IV Connector Cleaning
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for protecting and cleaning needle-free intravenous connectors are not compact, reusable, or cost-effective, requiring multiple units and tedious procedures, and often lead to contamination and material waste.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with a protrusion and cavity design featuring reversible fluid-tight fastening means, allowing hermetic sealing and easy attachment to needle-free intravascular connectors, made from materials that match the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the liquid, and optionally incorporating adsorbent materials for enhanced cleaning, which can be compactly stored and easily used without additional sealing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate cleaning devices are used for multiple iv-connectors, then each connector can be cleaned individually, but the overall device size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual cleaning devices are merged into a single integrated assembly where multiple caps are attached together in a compact arrangement, allowing multiple iv-connectors to be cleaned using one portable device while maintaining cleaning effectiveness for each connector
Solution Approach 2:
The caps are designed to be attached in a nested or compact configuration where multiple caps form a cohesive assembly that can be carried in a pocket, with each cap maintaining its individual cleaning function while contributing to the overall compact structure
2Reliability
If disposable cleaning devices are used once and discarded, then contamination is prevented, but material waste and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire cleaning device after one use, the design allows individual caps to be separated and discarded after use while the main assembly structure remains intact and reusable, enabling recovery and continued use of the non-contaminated portions of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is segmented into multiple individual caps that can be independently removed and discarded after use, while the remaining caps and assembly structure stay intact for continued use, reducing overall material waste
3Reliability
If complex sealing mechanisms are used to prevent contamination, then reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design employs simple, inexpensive disposable caps with basic sealing mechanisms that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex reusable sealing systems while maintaining contamination prevention during the critical usage period
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 cap assembly provides a cost-effective, easy-to-use, and contamination-preventing solution for cleaning and protecting needle-free intravenous connectors, allowing for efficient use and storage, minimizing material and processing costs while maintaining a compact form.
Implementation Method 1
the side surfaces of the protrusion and of the cavity have conjugate reversible fluid-tight fastening means, such that the cavity is hermetically sealable by introduction and fastening of an identical protrusion of a further cap thereinto
Implementation Method 2
optionally incorporating adsorbent materials for enhanced cleaning
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention proposes a cap (1) for being removably attached to a septum of a needle-free intravascular connector, wherein the cap comprises a protrusion (11) at a first end, and a cavity (12) at a second end distal to the first end; the protrusion (11) has a circumferential side surface (110), and the cavity (12) has a circumferential side surface (120) with a form corresponding the side surface (110) of the protrusion (11) and to fit the side surface (110) of such protrusion (11); the side surface (110) of the protrusion (11) and the side surface (120) of the cavity (12) have conjugate reversible fluid-tight fastening means (111, 111' and 121, 121'), such that the cavity is hermetically sealable by introduction and fastening of an identical protrusion of a further cap thereinto. The present invention further proposes an assembly (100) comprising a plurality of such caps (1, 1').