Medical Connector Cap Element for Fluid Channel Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies for medical lines, particularly in enteral feeding systems, fail to effectively prevent contamination and fluid leakage when the reusable male connector is not connected to a female connector.
Innovation Solution
A cap element with a retention device is attachable to the male connector to form a positive locking engagement, ensuring the fluid channel is closed and preventing contamination and leakage when the female connector is not connected, utilizing a soft elastic material and designed for easy attachment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap element is added to close the fluid channel, then contamination prevention and fluid leakage prevention are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cap element is introduced as an intermediary component between the reusable male connector and the environment. The cap element closes the fluid channel when the disposable female connector is not attached, preventing contamination and fluid leakage without modifying the original connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the reusable male connector, the disposable female connector, and the cap element. This segmentation allows the cap element to independently perform the sealing function without interfering with the primary connection mechanism.
2Reliability
If a cap element with retention device is added, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device on the cap element automatically engages with the male connector through a snap-fit mechanism. The elastic material allows the cap to self-adjust and secure itself without requiring additional fastening operations, making the sealing process as simple as pushing the cap onto the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap element is made from elastic material that changes its physical parameters (flexibility, shape) during attachment. The material deforms to engage with the retention device and then returns to its original shape, creating a secure seal without complex mechanical fasteners.
3Productivity
If the first connector is made reusable, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap element is placed on the reusable male connector in advance, before the disposable female connector is attached. This preliminary sealing action prevents environmental contamination from entering the fluid channel during storage and transport, ensuring the connector remains sterile and reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap element acts as a protective intermediary barrier between the reusable connector and the external environment. It allows the connector to be reused multiple times by preventing contamination accumulation, thereby maintaining hygiene standards across multiple uses.
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 cap element effectively keeps the male connector clean and prevents fluid leakage when not in use, ensuring hygiene and functionality in medical line connections.
Implementation Method 1
The cap element is made from an elastic material, in particular from a soft elastic material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A connector assembly for connecting medical lines (3, 4) to each other comprises a first connector (1) having an insertion shaft (12) to be inserted, along an insertion direction (I), into an insertion opening (22) of a second connector (2) for forming a fluid connection between the medical lines (3, 4), the insertion shaft (12) comprising a fluid channel (120) allowing fluid to flow in between the first connector (1) and the second connector (2). Herein, a cap element (14) is attachable to the first connector (1) for closing the fluid channel (120) towards the outside in a state in which the first connector (1) is not connected to the second connector (2), the first connector (1) having a first retention device (123) and the cap element (14) having a second retention device (143), the first retention device (123) and the second retention device (143) being configured to form a positive locking engagement in between the cap element (14) and the first connector (1) along the insertion direction (I).