Multi-purpose Connector for Blood Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood pressure measurement systems face safety issues due to the potential for inadvertent connections between male fittings used in blood pressure cuffs and other medical devices, such as IV lines, leading to risks of air entering the bloodstream. Additionally, the use of female fittings in newer devices renders existing cuffs obsolete, creating economic and compatibility problems for manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose connector designed to interconnect blood pressure cuffs with either male or female fittings, featuring a barbed-shaped end for cuff connection and a main body with threaded sections to engage both male and female fittings, allowing for interchangeable and fluid-tight connections without requiring additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If male fittings are used in blood pressure cuffs, then connection simplicity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent connections with other medical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary connector component that mediates between the cuff's male fitting and the gage housing's female fitting. This intermediary component with its unique geometry and threading pattern acts as a safety barrier, preventing direct connection between incompatible devices while maintaining the simplicity of the overall connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it provides the necessary fluid connection between cuff and gage housing while simultaneously acting as a safety mechanism through its unique threading and geometric features that prevent inadvertent connections with other medical devices like IV lines.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If female fittings are used in gage housings, then safety is improved by preventing inadvertent connections, but compatibility with existing cuffs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector component is designed with universal adaptability to work with both male and female fittings. It incorporates threaded sections that can engage with female fittings in gage housings while simultaneously providing male fitting connections for cuffs, thereby maintaining compatibility with existing equipment while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into separate functional components: a connector portion with female threading for the gage housing and a separate male fitting portion for the cuff. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system compatibility and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If male fittings are used in gage housings, then compatibility with existing cuffs is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential connections with IV lines
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves as an intermediary component between the male fitting in the cuff and the female fitting in the gage housing. Its unique geometry and threading pattern create a safe interface that prevents direct connection between the cuff's male fitting and any IV line female luer locks, thereby maintaining compatibility while eliminating the safety risk.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If female fittings are used in gage housings, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to need for multiple connector types
Solution Approach 1:
The connector component is designed as a universal interface that can connect to both male and female fittings. By incorporating threaded sections that engage with female fittings and male fitting portions for cuffs, a single connector design eliminates the need for multiple different connector types, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for blood pressure measurement systems is provided, wherein the connector enables interchangeable individual connection of a cuff to various gage housings, including those equipped with a male fitting or a female fitting, yet wherein the presence of the connector also desirably prevents inadvertent connection of a gage housing to certain other medical equipment.