Resilient Luer Connector Slit Design for Dead Space Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow connectors for medical applications face challenges in ensuring efficient fluid flow and preventing 'dead spaces' that can retain fluid, leading to potential complications.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow connector with a resilient fluid flow conduit member featuring a selectively closable slit and side openings, which allows for dual fluid pathways and includes sealing rings to prevent fluid retention in 'dead spaces', ensuring efficient fluid communication and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single fluid pathway is used in the connector, then the device complexity is reduced, but fluid flow efficiency decreases and dead spaces are created leading to fluid retention
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple independent fluid pathways: a first fluid pathway through the central bore and a second fluid pathway through the slit in the resilient conduit member. This segmentation allows fluid to flow through multiple routes simultaneously, improving overall fluid flow efficiency while preventing dead spaces where fluid could be retained.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimensional fluid pathway to a multi-dimensional flow system by adding the slit pathway that runs parallel to the central bore. This creates a dual-pathway configuration where fluid can move through different spatial dimensions, enhancing flow efficiency and eliminating stagnant zones.
2Productivity
If the resilient fluid flow conduit member is positioned in the open position, then fluid flow efficiency is improved through dual pathways, but fluid may accumulate in dead spaces within the connector
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates dead spaces from the connector design by ensuring that all internal volumes are part of the active fluid pathway. The slit and side openings are positioned and sized so that fluid flows continuously through all regions, preventing accumulation zones from forming within the connector body.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient conduit member's flexibility, which could potentially create dead spaces, is converted into a benefit by designing the slit to open fully when the conduit is in the open position. This ensures that the entire internal volume becomes an active flow path, transforming a potential harm into improved fluid flow efficiency.
3Reliability
If sealing rings are added to prevent fluid retention, then fluid retention is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the existing resilient conduit member by incorporating sealing rings directly into its structure. This integration allows the conduit to perform both its primary function of controlling fluid flow through the slit and the secondary function of sealing against the housing, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient conduit member is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the flow control mechanism (through the slit) and the sealing element (through integrated sealing rings). This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, preventing fluid retention without adding separate sealing devices that would increase complexity.
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 connector provides enhanced fluid flow efficiency and prevents fluid retention, maintaining a pressurized seal and reducing the risk of complications by allowing fluid to flow through multiple pathways while preventing accumulation in sealed volumes.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient fluid flow conduit member disposed within the housing assembly, the resilient fluid flow conduit member having a forward end disposed alongside the first end of the housing assembly, the forward end being formed with at least one side opening, the resilient fluid flow conduit member being positionable in a closed position wherein the at least one side opening is open
Implementation Method 2
the resilient fluid flow conduit member is pre-tensioned and thereby urged to the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A fluid flow connector including a housing assembly, having a first end and a second end arranged along a common longitudinal axis, and a resilient fluid flow conduit member having a forward end, disposed alongside the first end of the housing assembly, formed with a selectably closable slit and with at least one side opening. The resilient fluid flow conduit member is positionable in a closed position wherein the slit is closed but the at least one side opening is open and in an open position, allowing the slit to open and leaving the at least one side opening open, whereby when the resilient fluid flow conduit member is in the open position, the selectably closable slit and the at least one side opening each provide a fluid flow pathway between an interior of the resilient fluid flow conduit member and the first end of the housing assembly.