Multi-purpose Cap for Medical Device Fluid Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device caps are designed to fit only one type of port, such as blood or dialysate ports, on dialyzers, failing to provide a secure and sealed closure for diverse port configurations, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs due to the need for separate caps.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose closure cap with a unique design featuring a first and second skirt separated by an intermediate channel, allowing press fitting onto both blood and dialysate ports of varying sizes, ensuring a secure and sealed closure without the need for separate caps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate caps are designed for different port types (blood ports and dialysate ports), then each port type can have a specialized fit, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with a universal structure that can fit both blood ports and dialysate ports. The cap includes an outer surface with features that adapt to different port geometries, allowing a single cap design to serve multiple port types on the same dialyzer device
Solution Approach 2:
The cap incorporates different regional features on its outer surface - some areas are designed to engage with blood port geometries while other areas engage with dialysate port geometries. This local differentiation allows the single cap to provide specialized fit for each port type it encounters
2Reliability
If multiple types of caps are manufactured for different ports, then each cap can be optimized for its specific port, but manufacturing costs and inventory complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple specialized caps into a single multi-purpose cap. By combining the closure capabilities for both blood ports and dialysate ports into one cap design, the system eliminates the need to manufacture, store, and handle multiple different cap types, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying production
3Ease of manufacture
If a single cap design is used for all ports, then manufacturing is simplified, but the cap cannot provide secure closure for diverse port configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates different regional features on its outer surface - some areas are designed to engage with blood port geometries while other areas engage with dialysate port geometries. This local differentiation allows the single cap to provide specialized fit for each port type it encounters
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed with a universal structure that can fit both blood ports and dialysate ports. The cap includes an outer surface with features that adapt to different port geometries, allowing a single cap design to serve multiple port types on the same dialyzer device
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-purpose cap adapted to fit onto fluid ports of different sizes and configurations of medical devices used for purifying or concentrating biological samples, wherein the cap is adapted to press fit onto diverse fluid ports on dialyzers and other blood treatment devices.