Luer Connector Asymmetric Coding Stops

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Luer connection system faces significant risks of confusion between different medical applications, leading to potentially life-threatening mix-ups, as the standard design is compatible across various medical applications without clear differentiation, causing incorrect connections such as administering intravenous drugs via spinal routes.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a male Luer connector with a conical outer jacket and a connection locking element featuring coding stops that prevent standard connections, and a female Luer connector with inverse keying cuts, implementing a 'key and lock' principle to ensure only compatible connectors mate, thereby preventing incorrect assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standardized Luer connectors are made universally compatible across different medical applications, then interchangeability and ease of use are improved, but the risk of confusion and incorrect connections increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinterchangeabilityVSAvoidrisk of confusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by introducing coding stops with different geometric shapes (e.g., flat, rounded, angular) on male Luer connectors and corresponding coding notches on female connectors. This asymmetric coding system allows connectors to be mechanically incompatible unless they match the specific code configuration, thereby preventing incorrect connections while maintaining standardized basic dimensions for legitimate interoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The coding stops and coding notches act as intermediary elements that mediate between the standardized connector bodies. These intermediary coding features must align perfectly for a connection to be made, serving as a mechanical gatekeeper that allows only compatible connectors to connect while blocking incompatible ones, thus resolving the contradiction between universality and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If coding features are added to Luer connectors to prevent confusion, then connection safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection safetyVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is segmented into functional zones: the standardized conical connection interface for mechanical coupling and the coding features (coding stops on male connectors, coding notches on female connectors) for identification and compatibility verification. This segmentation allows the coding features to be added as distinct elements without fundamentally redesigning the entire connector structure, thereby limiting the increase in complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coding features are implemented as localized modifications at specific positions on the connectors (e.g., coding stops at the distal end of the hub, coding notches on the collar). These local modifications provide the necessary safety differentiation without requiring changes to the overall connector design, materials, or manufacturing processes for the main body, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If coding stops are added to male Luer connectors, then prevention of incorrect connections is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of incorrect connectionsVSAvoidconnector production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coding stops are merged with the existing connector manufacturing process, particularly with the hub or collar structure. By integrating the coding stops into the same molding or machining operation that creates the connector body, the additional coding features do not require separate manufacturing steps, tooling, or assembly processes, thereby minimizing the impact on manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3310426B1Male and female luer connector and luer connection system

Publication Date: 2022.03.23 SCHEDLER MICHAEL

Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Male Luer connector (200, 300) having a tube body (210, 310), with a conical outer jacket (212), and a connection-blocking element (230, 330), wherein the connection-blocking element (230, 330) delimits a space around the tube body (210, 310) and, in the axial direction (A), forms a coding abutment (240, 340). Female Luer connector (100) having a hollow receiving body (110), with a conical seat (112), and a collar (120) on the outer end of the receiving body (110), wherein the collar (120) has at least one coding indent (140). Connection system (400) composed of male and female Luer connector (100, 200, 300).