Luer-Lock Connector Grooves for Sterile-Tight Steam Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Luer connection systems fail to achieve a sterile-tight seal during sterilization with superheated steam, leading to condensate accumulation, and lack a tamper-evident closure that is easy to open and secure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating capillary-like grooves or fluid guide elements on the inner and outer parts of the Luer lock connector, allowing steam sterilization while preventing fluid leakage, and featuring a tamper-evident closure that can be opened with minimal force, such as a snap-off cross, to ensure sterile-tightness and secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw cap is used to close the Luer connection area, then the connection is secure, but it does not seal completely and tightly during sterilization with superheated steam, leading to condensate accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a break-off cross made of soft PP composite film that acts as a flexible barrier to seal the Luer connection area. This flexible membrane can conform to the connection surfaces and provide a tight seal that prevents steam penetration and condensate accumulation, unlike rigid screw caps.
Solution Approach 2:
The break-off cross is designed to undergo a phase transition from an intact sealed state to a broken state upon activation. The cross is made of material that can be cleanly broken apart, transitioning from providing a seal to allowing access, ensuring sterile-tightness is maintained until intentional opening.
2Reliability
If a tamper-evident closure is added to ensure sterile-tightness, then sealing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated break-off cross component: tamper-evident sealing, sterile barrier, and user-accessible opening mechanism. This single element performs what would otherwise require multiple separate components, maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The break-off cross is designed to be easily opened by the user through simple manual force without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The wing-shaped handles enable the user to self-open the closure by applying minimal force, making the system self-serviceable.
3Ease of operation
If a break-off cross with wing-shaped handles is used for easy opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The break-off cross is segmented into distinct functional zones: the wing-shaped handles for user engagement, the break-off section with predetermined fracture plane, and the sealing portion. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the handles for ease of gripping and the break-off section for controlled separation - while maintaining overall manufacturability.
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 effective sterilization of the interior space, prevents condensate accumulation, and provides a secure, easy-to-open tamper-evident closure, ensuring sterile-tightness and efficient fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid guide element (15) being dimensioned in such a way that it acts like a capillary, so that a sterilizing agent, such as steam, can be conducted between the inner part (10) and the outer part (4) and reach an interior space (18) inside the inner part (10)
Implementation Method 2
the fluid guide element (15) is dimensioned in such a way that it acts like a capillary... but the fluid guide element (15) is dimensioned in such a way that it excludes a drop
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a connector system for a liquid container for pharmaceutical solutions, comprising an outer part that can be inserted into a fluid guidance system such as a hose or a bag nozzle and an inner part arranged therein, which is materially separate from the outer part, wherein the outer part has a tamper-evident seal attached to a predetermined breaking point and which can be torn off manually, wherein furthermore the inner part has an outer surface that at least partially abuts an inner surface of the outer part and fluid flow through the inner part is prevented in addition to the tamper-evident seal by means of a closure element attached to the inner part, wherein at least one fluid guidance element extending over a certain length, such as a groove, a ridge, a furrow or a slot, is present on the inner part and the outer part.The invention also relates to a medical supply system, with a bag such as a dialysis bag, in which such a connector system is integrated or inserted.