Needleless Connector High Flow Ratchet Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing needleless connectors face challenges in improving performance and reducing construction costs, particularly in ensuring high fluid flow rates and easy assembly.
Innovation Solution
The injection port assembly features a body with a central axis, a male luer connection, and a flexible valve member. The assembly includes circumferentially spaced ribs and transverse passages that communicate with the male luer connection, allowing for high fluid flow. The flexible valve member is designed to displace laterally upon entry of a male luer fitting, ensuring secure connection and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible valve member with axial compression is used, then the connector provides reliable sealing, but the construction complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into multiple lobes (typically three) that can be compressed axially, allowing the sealing function to be distributed across multiple independent elements. This segmentation enables reliable sealing while simplifying the overall construction compared to a single complex sealing element.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanical sealing mechanism, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple elastomeric valve member that seals through elastic deformation when compressed axially. The sealing action is achieved by inverting the traditional mechanism - using material compliance rather than mechanical precision.
2Productivity
If transverse passages are used to communicate with the axial passage, then high fluid flow rates are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single axial flow path to a multi-dimensional flow network by incorporating transverse passages that communicate with the axial passage. This dimensional expansion allows fluid to flow through multiple parallel paths, significantly increasing the overall flow rate without requiring a proportionally larger single passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is segmented into multiple transverse passages distributed around the axial passage. This segmentation creates multiple parallel flow channels, enabling high fluid flow rates while maintaining a compact device structure. The segmented approach is more efficient than enlarging a single passage.
3Reliability
If the flexible valve member is displaced laterally upon entry of male luer fitting, then secure connection is ensured, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member's physical state changes from a relaxed position to a laterally displaced position upon axial compression by the male luer fitting. This parameter change in position is achieved through elastic deformation, which naturally provides the required displacement without demanding high manufacturing precision. The elastomeric material's inherent compliance absorbs dimensional tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member performs its own alignment and positioning function through lateral displacement when compressed. This self-service mechanism ensures secure connection without requiring complex external alignment features or high-precision manufacturing. The valve's own elastic properties enable it to find its correct position automatically.
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 design achieves high fluid flow rates by providing a non-tortuous flow path with unrestricted cross-sectional area, while also ensuring easy assembly and secure connections, thus addressing the performance and cost challenges of existing needleless connectors.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible valve member is mounted on the base of the first mating structure and has a proximal valve end portion configured to be sealingly received in the female luer connection of the second mating structure when the flexible valve member is in a closed position. The flexible valve member is configured to be displaced relative to the central body axis upon entry of the male luer fitting into the female luer connection
Data Source
AI summary
An intermittent, injection port assembly includes first and second mating structures. The first mating structure includes a proximal end and a radially outer proximally facing step. An external thread is located between the proximal end and the radially outer proximally facing step. A first annular ratchet portion is located on the first mating structure. The second mating structure includes an annular radially inner distally facing step. An internal thread is located between the second mating structure distal end and the radially inner distally facing step. A second ratchet portion is located on the second mating structure. The first and second mating structures are coupled together by engagement of the internal thread with the external thread, such that the first and second annular ratchet portions prevent disengagement of the internal thread from the external thread after the first and second mating structures are coupled together.