IV Coupler Assembly With Threshold Release and Sealing Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional IV couplers often fail to securely attach medical tubing, leading to dislodgement due to improper securement or forces exceeding their design limits, resulting in interrupted medical fluid administration, with a reported 10% dislodgement rate for peripheral IV catheters translating to approximately 33 million incidents annually in the U.S.
Innovation Solution
A coupler assembly featuring a first connector with a valve system that compresses to seal when decoupled, and a second connector with a biasing element that ensures secure attachment until a predetermined threshold force is exceeded, allowing for controlled decoupling and re-coupling, thereby preventing unintended fluid leakage or contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional IV couplers are used to attach medical tubing, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor due to dislodgement under normal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler employs dynamic elements including a collapsible bellows structure that transitions between expanded and compressed states, and a deformable membrane that moves to seal or open fluid pathways. These dynamic components allow the coupler to adapt to force variations, maintaining secure attachment under normal conditions while enabling controlled decoupling when threshold forces are applied
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is divided into distinct functional segments: a first connector with a bellows structure, a second connector with a membrane, and interconnecting fluid pathways. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the bellows providing mechanical coupling and the membrane controlling fluid flow, thereby improving reliability without excessive overall complexity
2Reliability
If the coupler is designed to withstand high forces to prevent dislodgement, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlled decoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler incorporates a threshold-based release mechanism where the membrane is pre-configured to seal the fluid pathway when a predetermined force threshold is exceeded. This preliminary anti-action ensures that normal operational forces cannot accidentally cause decoupling or fluid leakage, while intentionally applied forces beyond the threshold will trigger controlled separation
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic membrane and bellows structure allow the coupler to differentiate between normal operational forces and decoupling forces. The membrane remains engaged during normal use but can be deliberately displaced when sufficient force is applied, enabling both strong attachment and controlled decoupling
3Productivity
If the valve remains open to allow fluid flow during coupling, then the productivity is high, but the object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential fluid leakage when decoupled
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is pre-positioned to seal the fluid pathway when the coupler is decoupled, preventing fluid leakage before it can occur. During coupling, the membrane is held in an open position by the bellows structure, allowing uninterrupted fluid flow. This preliminary sealing action eliminates the need for additional valves or complex closing mechanisms
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 coupler assembly provides enhanced securement of medical tubing, reducing dislodgement rates and ensuring reliable fluid administration by maintaining attachment under normal conditions while allowing controlled decoupling to prevent fluid flow when excessive force is applied, thus minimizing interruptions and infection risks.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element disposed within the second connector, a second opening, and a second valve coupled to the biasing element and disposed at least partially within the coupling portion, the second valve and the second biasing element having a compressed state and an expanded state
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler including a first connector having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first opening, and a first valve disposed between the first end and the second end, the first valve having a compressed and an expanded state, the first valve extending through the first opening when the first valve is in the expanded state and a second connector having a coupling portion, a second opening, and a second valve disposed at least partially within the coupling portion. The second valve having a compressed and an expanded state, the second valve extending at least partially through the second opening when the second valve is in the expanded state. The first valve and the second valve are in the compressed state when the first connector is coupled to the second connector such that a fluid pathway is formed through the first connector and the second connector.