Multi-Lumen Wound Care Connector for Sealed Lumen Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection devices for multi-lumen lines in negative pressure therapy struggle to ensure secure yet easy manual connection and separation of individual lumens, particularly when radially offset lumens require precise alignment, leading to potential loss of pressure measurement and ventilation functionality.

Innovation Solution

A connection device featuring a multi-lumen tube with a central lumen and radially offset additional lumens, utilizing a base body with sealing sleeves and clamping sleeves to ensure secure sealing and easy connection, allowing for the separation of lumens while maintaining functionality even under deformation or bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual hoses are connected to inner hose connector elements in a multi-lumen cable, then fluid-permeable connection is achieved, but sealing complexity increases and manual operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidmanual connection and separation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual hose connections into a single integrated multi-lumen cable structure. The outer hose connector element receives the entire multi-lumen cable as one unit, while internal partition walls separate the individual lumens. This merging approach maintains reliable fluid-permeable connections for each lumen while simplifying the connection operation to a single integrated action rather than multiple separate sealing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the internal space of the outer hose connector element into multiple separate chambers using partition walls. Each chamber corresponds to one lumen of the multi-lumen cable, allowing independent fluid flow paths. This segmentation ensures that connections remain secure and functionally separate for each lumen while being achieved through a unified connector design that simplifies manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If radially offset additional lumens are used in multi-lumen hoses, then functionality is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase during connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure measurement and ventilation functionalityVSAvoidlumen alignment during connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-formed radially offset lumens into the multi-lumen cable structure before connection. The partition walls are预先 arranged to create the radial offset configuration, and the lumens are positioned in their final locations relative to each other. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for precise alignment during the connection process, as the offset configuration is already established in the cable itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the additional lumens relative to the central lumen, creating a radially offset configuration. This asymmetric design allows different lumens to serve different functions (e.g., central lumen for negative pressure, radially offset lumens for ventilation or pressure measurement) while the asymmetric structure is integrated into the cable design, eliminating alignment issues during connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If multi-lumen hoses are connected to maintain continuous flow, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but connection security requirements increase to prevent functional loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous flow for wound careVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple lumens into a single integrated multi-lumen cable that is received by the outer hose connector element as one unified structure. This integration ensures that all lumens are connected simultaneously in a single action, preventing partial disconnections that could interrupt continuous flow. The unified connector design maintains secure connections for all lumens while enabling continuous treatment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3117868B1Connection device for wound care and wound care kit
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 LOHMANN & RAUSCHER
  • EP3117868B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3117868B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3117868B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for connecting multi-lumen lines for medical applications, in particular for wound care in the field of negative pressure wound therapy, comprising a preferably one-piece base body (110) designed for the tight and preferably detachable connection of at least two line lumens, wherein the base body (110) is designed to provide a distribution chamber (200) for at least one, preferably two, three or more lumens of the connected line opening therein, and preferably has at least one channel (113) for directing a fluid from or into the distribution chamber, wherein the distribution chamber is sealed fluid-tight with respect to at least one line lumen when the line is connected, such that fluid exchange between the distribution chamber and this line lumen is prevented.