Medical Luer Connector Coding Clip Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Luer connection systems in the medical field allow unsuitable connections, leading to potential injuries and accidental disconnections during surgical interventions, as they do not ensure a secure connection between different types of lines, such as infusion and compressed air hoses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a coding clip with internal coding elements that only allow compatible connections, ensuring a secure and firm connection by clamping the female and male elements together, preventing accidental loosening and misconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard Luer connection system is used, then any connection elements can be connected to each other, but this leads to accidental connections of unsuitable elements and potential injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry through coding clips with specific geometric codes (different numbers, positions, and orientations of coding elements) that create asymmetric interfaces. Each male connector has a unique coding pattern that must match a corresponding female connector, preventing asymmetric mismatches. This ensures that only compatible connection elements with matching codes can be connected, eliminating accidental connections while maintaining controlled versatility.
2Ease of operation
If standard Luer connectors are used, then connections can be made easily, but the connection can be inadvertently released due to insufficient clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the nesting principle by placing the coding clip inside the male connector housing, where it is surrounded and protected by the connector structure. The coding clip is nested within the male connector assembly, and both the coding clip and male connector are subsequently nested within the female connector during connection. This nested arrangement ensures the coding clip remains secure and cannot be accidentally dislodged, while maintaining easy connection through the overall Luer interface design.
3Reliability
If a coding clip is added to prevent misconnections, then connection security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the coding clip to serve multiple functions simultaneously: (1) providing mechanical coding for compatibility verification, (2) acting as a clamping element that secures the connection through friction, (3) serving as a structural component of the male connector assembly, and (4) enabling easy identification of connection status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced connection security.
4Reliability
If the coding clip clamps firmly to ensure secure connection, then accidental loosening is prevented, but the insertion force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics through the tapered geometry of the coding clip, which creates a progressive clamping action. As the male connector is inserted into the female connector, the tapered surfaces convert the insertion force into increasing radial clamping force on the coding elements. This dynamic mechanism ensures that the coding clip provides firm clamping and prevents accidental loosening during use, while requiring only moderate initial insertion force that increases gradually as connection is established.
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting system for lines in the medical sector, in particular for fluid, negative-pressure and compressed-air lines, preferably a Luer connection, having a first male connecting element which has a distal connection region, and having a second female connecting element (1) which has a distal accommodation region (2), wherein the connection region can be inserted into the accommodation region (2) so that a fixed connection is established between the male connecting element and the female connecting element (1), is characterized in that the connection region has an encoding clip (3) and the accommodation region (2) has an encoding surface (4) which corresponds to the encoding clip (3).