Micro-Threaded Luer Connector for Secure Tactile Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical connectors with low friction between luer-lock elements risk accidental disconnection, leading to contamination and potential breakage, especially when administering toxic fluids like cytostatic agents, as users may over-torque due to lack of connection indication.
Innovation Solution
A medical connector design featuring a helical thread with micro-threads and a stop mechanism that increases friction and provides a tactile indication of secure connection, preventing disconnection and over-tightening by engaging additional micro-threads and a stop as the mating connector is advanced, ensuring a secure and resistant fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors are made from plastic or polymeric materials, then they are suitable for administering toxic fluids, but the friction between connection surfaces is low leading to accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding micro-threads only to specific regions of the connector surface where friction enhancement is needed, rather than changing the entire connector structure. The micro-threads are positioned on the connection surface to locally increase friction while maintaining the overall polymeric material properties suitable for toxic fluid administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection surface is segmented into multiple micro-threads that are spaced apart from each other. These discrete micro-threads work collectively to increase overall friction while allowing the connector to maintain its fundamental structure and material composition.
2Ease of operation
If friction between luer-lock elements is low, then connection can be easily made, but users may over-torque leading to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-threads provide tactile feedback to the user during the connection process. As the male luer-lock element is screwed into the female element, the user can feel the engagement of micro-threads, providing sensory feedback that indicates proper tightening without requiring excessive force, thus preventing over-torque and breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro-threads are strategically positioned to provide friction enhancement only where needed during the connection process, allowing easy initial engagement while providing progressive resistance as tightening proceeds, preventing both too-loose and too-tight conditions.
3Productivity
If friction between connection surfaces is low, then connection can be made quickly, but there is no discernable indication that connection is fully tightened
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-threads provide tactile feedback that serves as a sensory indicator of connection status. As the connection is made, the user can feel the engagement of micro-threads, providing real-time information about tightening progress without requiring visual inspection or additional indicators, thus maintaining quick connection while improving information feedback.
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 connector provides enhanced resistance to disconnection and prevents over-tightening, ensuring a secure fluid transfer while providing a clear tactile indication of a secure connection, thus reducing contamination and mechanical failure risks.
Implementation Method 1
the friction between the connector and the mating connector is increased when the at least one micro-thread of the connector contacts the helical thread of the mating connector
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical connector includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a sidewall extending between the distal end and the proximal end, a helical thread extending radially outward from a surface of the sidewall and comprising a crest portion, flank portions, and a root portion with the flank portions connecting the root portion to the crest portion, and at least one micro-thread extending radially outward from the surface of the sidewall. At least a portion of the micro-thread is spaced apart from the helical thread.