Medical Connector Sealing and Locking to Minimize Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical connectors experience backflow and inadvertent disengagement issues when disconnecting, with existing solutions either compromising sealing characteristics or insertability.
Innovation Solution
A medical connector with a male connector portion featuring a tubular body that limits insertion depth, an enlarged sealing portion, and a locking mechanism, which reduces backflow and enhances sealing by directly contacting the valve body and top surface, while maintaining connection through an internal thread engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the male connector portion conforms to ISO 594-1, then compatibility with standard connectors is improved, but backflow occurs during disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The male connector portion is divided into distinct functional segments: a tubular body for insertion, a sealing portion for sealing, a limiting portion for depth control, and a locking portion for securing. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while working together to prevent backflow during disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing portion acts as an intermediary element between the tubular body and the female connector portion. It directly contacts the top surface of the valve body or top wall to create a seal, preventing backflow while allowing the connector to maintain compatibility with standard configurations
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the tubular body outer diameter is reduced to minimize backflow, then backflow is improved, but insertability into the slit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer diameter of the tubular body is precisely controlled to be equal to or less than a specific length (twice the distance from the center of the top surface of the valve body to the end of the slit radially spaced furthest from the center). This parameter optimization allows the tubular body to be inserted into the slit while minimizing the volume that causes backflow during disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of simply reducing the tubular body diameter, the invention adds dimensional elements in other directions: the sealing portion extends radially to contact the valve body top surface, and the locking portion provides axial engagement. This multi-dimensional approach maintains insertability while preventing backflow
3Reliability
If the sealing portion directly contacts the valve body top surface, then sealing characteristics are improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing portion is merged with the male connector portion as an integrated structure rather than a separate component. This combining approach improves sealing characteristics through direct contact with the valve body top surface while avoiding the complexity of additional separate parts
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing portion serves multiple functions: it creates the seal by contacting the valve body top surface, it helps limit insertion depth through its structural configuration, and it works with the locking portion to maintain connection stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components
4Reliability
If the locking portion is added to prevent inadvertent disengagement, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion is nested within the male connector portion structure, with the tubular body, sealing portion, limiting portion, and locking portion all integrated into a single connector assembly. This nested configuration provides stable connection without requiring separate external locking mechanisms
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 effectively minimizes backflow during disconnection, improves sealing characteristics, and prevents inadvertent disengagement, ensuring reliable connection and reduced contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing portion that surrounds the slit and directly contacts the top surface of the valve body or a top surface of the top wall when the male connector portion is connected to the closed female connector portion
Implementation Method 2
a limiting portion that limits an insertion depth of the tubular body into the opening by abutting against the other medical connector when the male connector portion is connected to the closed female connector portion
Implementation Method 3
a locking portion that keeps the male connector portion connected to the closed female connector portion
Implementation Method 4
the tubular body having an outer diameter equal to or less than a length that is twice the distance between the center of a top surface of the valve body and an end of the slit radially spaced furthest from the center, the tubular body being insertable into the slit
Data Source
AI summary
A medical connector includes: a male connector portion that is connectable to a closed female connector portion of another medical connector, the closed female connector portion comprising an opening formed on a top wall, and a valve body blocking the opening and having a slit, an outer peripheral edge portion of the valve body being secured to the top wall; wherein the male connector portion includes: a tubular body having an outer diameter equal to or less than a length that is twice a distance between a center of a top surface of the valve body and an end of the slit that is radially furthest from the center, the tubular body being insertable into the slit, a limiting portion configured to limit an insertion depth of the tubular body, a sealing portion configured to surround the slit, and a locking portion.