Self-Sealing Male Luer Connector with Dual Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current self-sealing male connectors lack an internal valve, leaving residual fluids unsealed and exposed, posing safety risks in medical applications where exposure to hazardous fluids must be minimized, such as in nuclear medicine and oncology.
Innovation Solution
A self-sealing male connector with a rigid housing featuring a distal and proximal valve, actuated by a movable actuator arm, which opens both valves upon engagement with a female connector and closes to prevent fluid exposure, utilizing a resilient member to bias the actuator and create a partial vacuum for fluid removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional male Luer connector is used without an internal valve, then the connector structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but residual fluids remain unsealed and exposed on the outer surfaces, creating safety hazards in medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional segments: a male Luer portion for connection, an internal valve mechanism for fluid control, and a sealing system. This segmentation allows the addition of self-sealing functionality while maintaining the simplicity of the external connector interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is nested within the male connector housing. The internal valve components are contained inside the connector body, with the valve stem accessible through the Luer portion. This nesting approach adds the self-sealing function without increasing the external dimensions or complexity of the connector interface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a self-sealing male connector with internal valve is implemented, then residual fluids are sealed and exposure is prevented, but the connector structure becomes more complex with multiple valves and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single actuator mechanism. The actuator simultaneously controls both the distal valve (at the Luer portion) and the proximal valve (at the proximal end), eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms for each valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it opens both valves when pulled distally, closes both valves when released, and can be actuated by either manual operation or automatic engagement with a female connector. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple valves.
3Reliability
If a resilient member is added to bias the actuator and create partial vacuum for fluid removal, then fluid containment and cleanup are improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member automatically biases the actuator to the proximal position, which simultaneously closes both valves and creates a partial vacuum to draw residual fluids into the connector. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A partial vacuum is created within the connector housing by the resilient member's action on the actuator. This pneumatic mechanism automatically draws residual fluids from the outer surfaces into the sealed interior, providing self-cleaning functionality without mechanical pumps or complex fluid management systems.
4Reliability
If multiple valves (distal and proximal) are implemented in the male connector, then complete fluid sealing is achieved at both ends, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distal and proximal valves are merged into a single actuated system. Both valves share the same actuator mechanism and sealing approach, allowing them to be manufactured and assembled as an integrated unit rather than as separate, independently controlled components.
Solution Approach 2:
Both the distal and proximal valves use similar sealing mechanisms and actuator interfaces. This homogeneity in design allows for standardized manufacturing processes and simplified assembly procedures, reducing the complexity increase that would normally result from adding multiple valves.
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 solution ensures that residual fluids are sealed both before and after connection, minimizing exposure to hazardous medical fluids and maintaining a sealed environment, enhancing safety and control in medical fluid handling.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member contained within the housing and positioned to bias the actuator towards the distal end of the housing to close both the distal and proximal valves
Implementation Method 2
movement of the actuator in a proximal direction... creating a partial vacuum within the housing to draw fluid into the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A self-sealing male Luer connector attaches to any standard female Luer valve to open a flow channel between the two. The self-sealing male Luer connector includes a rigid housing having a distal end with a rigid male Luer connector and a proximal end at which a proximal seal is formed. The distal end of the housing includes a valve seat. Located within the housing is a resilient biasing member that biases an actuator into contact with the valve seat to prevent fluid flow through the male connector. Upon engagement with a female connector, the actuator is moved in the proximal direction to open the distal valve and then the proximal seal. A partial vacuum is formed within the male connector upon disengagement with the female connector that draws any fluids on the external surface of the distal end of the male Luer connector into the male tip.