Medical Container Adaptor With Elastomer Grip for Torque Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical container adaptors face issues with weak connection to the longitudinal tip, leading to potential disengagement during connection or under fluid pressure, and limited torque and pull-out force resistance.
Innovation Solution
An adaptor design featuring a proximal part with an inner ring and an elastomer gripping member that securely attaches to the distal tip of the medical container, enhancing grip and torque resistance through a dovetail joint and 360° contact, utilizing materials like ABS for the inner ring and elastomer for the gripping member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If snap-fitting or friction force is used to secure the adaptor around the longitudinal tip, then the adaptor can be connected to the medical container, but the connection demonstrates limited torque and pull out force resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is divided into a proximal part and a distal part, with the proximal part specifically designed to engage with the longitudinal tip. This segmentation allows the connection function to be isolated and optimized independently from the rest of the adaptor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal part of the adaptor incorporates specific structural features (such as engagement elements or geometric configurations) that are optimized locally to maximize friction force and mechanical interlocking with the longitudinal tip, while other parts of the adaptor maintain different properties for their specific functions.
2Strength
If a groove is incorporated to the longitudinal tip for mechanical attaching means, then the adaptor can be mechanically attached, but the longitudinal tip becomes sensitive to flaws and may potentially lead to tip breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The groove feature is extracted from the longitudinal tip and relocated to the adaptor body. This removes the stress concentration point from the fragile glass tip and places it in the more robust adaptor structure, eliminating the harmful effect while preserving the mechanical attachment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor serves as an intermediary component between the longitudinal tip and the connector. By incorporating the mechanical attachment features in the adaptor rather than the tip, the tip is protected from direct mechanical stress and flaw initiation, while the adaptor mediates the connection function.
3Ease of operation
If the adaptor is connected around the longitudinal tip by snap-fitting or friction force, then the adaptor can be mounted onto the medical container, but the connection may lead to accidental disengagement during connection or under fluid pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor utilizes composite material properties, combining rigid structural components for mechanical strength with elastomeric materials providing friction and grip. This composite approach enables both easy mounting through flexible accommodation and reliable retention through enhanced friction forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor incorporates dynamic elements such as elastomeric gripping members that can deform and adapt to the longitudinal tip during mounting, then maintain constant friction force under varying pressure conditions. This dynamic response allows easy initial connection while preventing accidental disengagement.
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 design significantly improves the connection strength, reducing the risk of disengagement and rotation, ensuring a secure attachment and increased pull-out force.
Implementation Method 1
The increased friction force exerted by the elastomer gripping member onto the distal tip improves the torque and increases the adaptor pull out force.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptor for mounting onto a medical container, the adaptor including a distal part configured to receive a connector, and a proximal part configured to be mounted onto the distal tip of the medical container. The proximal part includes an inner ring protruding from a lateral tubular wall of the adaptor, said inner ring having an inner edge that delimits an opening configured to receive the distal tip. The proximal part further includes a gripping member made of an elastomer material, said gripping member being connected to the inner edge of the inner ring in order to be in contact with an outer surface of the distal tip when the adaptor is mounted onto the medical container.