Medical Connector Integrated Elastomeric Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical connectors for fluid sampling, particularly in arterial blood sampling, face challenges in ease of assembly and reliability due to complex designs, leading to increased costs and potential leakage issues.
Innovation Solution
A medical connector featuring a one-way valve and a stop valve formed as parts of a single piece of elastomeric material, hingedly connected for direct integration and a folding snap fit closure, ensuring a fluid-tight seal and simplified assembly, with automated testing for quality assurance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate one-way valve and stop valve components are used in the connector, then the valve functions are reliable, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the one-way valve and stop valve into a single integrated valve assembly made from one piece of elastomeric material. The one-way valve portion and stop valve portion are formed as unified structures with continuous material flow, eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly procedures while maintaining the reliability of both valve functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single piece of elastomeric material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both the one-way valve mechanism and the stop valve mechanism, while also providing sealing surfaces and structural support. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall connector assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate valve parts are assembled in the connector, then each valve can be optimized independently, but the assembly time and quality assurance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By forming both valve portions from a single piece of elastomeric material using injection molding, the patent eliminates the time-consuming assembly process of fitting separate parts together. The valves are manufactured as one integrated component, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining design flexibility through the molding process.
3Reliability
If complex valve assembly procedures are used, then proper sealing and function are achieved, but manufacturing cost and potential for assembly errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve design with continuous elastomeric material ensures proper sealing through the inherent material continuity rather than requiring complex assembly procedures. The single-piece construction eliminates gaps and potential leakage paths between separate components, ensuring reliability while simplifying manufacturing.
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 provides a cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-assemble medical connector that ensures one-way fluid flow, preventing reverse flow and leakage, while maintaining a high level of manufacturing efficiency and compatibility with existing medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve disposed in the body to allow fluid to flow from the first aperture, through the fluid flow conduit and out of the second aperture, but not to allow fluid to flow from the second aperture and through the fluid flow conduit to the first aperture
Implementation Method 2
a stop valve which prevents fluid flowing out of the second aperture of the connector body unless a complementary end of a separate device engages the second aperture and opens the stop valve
Implementation Method 3
The one-way valve and the stop valve are formed as parts of a single piece of elastomeric material... providing a fluid tight seal between these valve parts
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 9~13
AI summary
Inside a connector body (112, 114; 300) of a medical connector providing a fluid flow conduit, a one-way valve (118) is fitted directly into one end of a stop valve (116) in a manner providing a fluid tight seal between these valves. The stop valve (116) prevents fluid flowing out of the end (111; 311) of the connector body (112, 114; 300) unless a complementary end of a separate device (not shown), typically a Luer lock connector, engages the end of the connector body and opens the stop valve (116). To facilitate manufacture and assembly, the one-way valve (118) and the stop valve (116) can be formed as parts of a single piece of elastomeric material, the parts being hingedly connected so that the one-way valve part (118) can be folded over to be fitted directly into the end of the stop valve part (116). A further possibility, also applicable when only a stop valve (116) is provided, is that the connector body (300) may be formed in one piece with a folding, snap fit closure (312).