IV Connector Coupling With One-Way Release Against Dislodgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional IV couplers often fail to securely attach medical tubing, leading to dislodgement due to improper securement and forces exceeding their design limits, resulting in interrupted fluid administration and increased infection risk from re-attachment after disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A coupler assembly featuring a first connector with a valve and collar configuration that decouples from the second connector when a predetermined pullout force is exceeded, preventing re-coupling to prevent contamination and infection, utilizing a slot mechanism that radially expands to secure the first connector within the second connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional IV couplers use simple coupling mechanisms, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to dislodgement under force
Solution Approach 1:
The collar incorporates a slot mechanism that allows dynamic radial expansion and contraction. During normal operation, the collar maintains a secure fitted state. When pullout force exceeds a threshold, the slot enables the collar to radially expand, allowing the first connector to decouple. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing both secure retention under normal forces and controlled release under excessive force.
2Ease of operation
If conventional couplers allow re-attachment after disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is segmented into a collar and a first connector with asymmetric interface features. The slot in the collar and corresponding wedge on the first connector create a one-way coupling mechanism. The first connector can be inserted into the collar, but cannot be re-inserted after removal due to the asymmetric geometry. This segmentation with asymmetric interfaces prevents re-attachment, eliminating infection risk while maintaining ease of initial coupling.
3Reliability
If the collar uses a fitted configuration to secure connectors, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed as a flexible structure incorporating a slot that allows radial expansion. This flexible shell design enables the collar to transition between a contracted state for insertion and an expanded state for secure retention. The flexibility of the collar structure provides reliable connection security through elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical locking mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler including a first connector having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first valve disposed between the first end and the second end, a second connector having a mating portion, a connecting portion opposite the mating portion, and a second valve disposed at least partially within the mating portion, and a collar having a body detachably coupled to the mating portion of the second connector and a releasing portion disposed opposite the body, the releasing portion configured to receive at least a portion of the first connector to detachably couple the first connector to the collar and the second connector such that the first end of the first connector is disposed within the second connector. The first connector is configured to decouple from the collar and the second connector and is prevented from re-coupling to the collar once decoupled.