Needleless Connector Valve Pivot Support to Prevent Fluid Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current needleless connectors often deposit fluid on the valve head during medical implement removal, leading to potential fluid separation and entry into the patient's bloodstream, causing anxiety and health risks due to droplet formation and fluid entrapment issues.
Innovation Solution
A needleless connector design featuring a compressible valve with a protrusion that pivots away from the syringe face, utilizing different spring rates for primary and secondary seals and fluid channels to prevent droplet formation, and a collapsible bellows-like mechanism to minimize fluid deposition and enhance flushability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional needleless connector valve is used, then the valve structure is simple, but fluid is deposited on the valve head causing droplet formation and potential fluid entrapment
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple functional segments: a compressible bellows portion for fluid acceptance and collapse, a protrusion for pivot support engagement, and a valve member for flow control. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while collectively preventing fluid deposition on the valve head.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed to move from purely axial compression to include transverse pivoting motion. The protrusion engages with the pivot support to enable the valve member to pivot away from the central longitudinal axis, creating a new dimensional movement that prevents fluid entrapment and deposition on the valve head.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the valve is compressed axially during syringe removal, then fluid flow is controlled, but fluid deposits on the valve face creating health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The valve transitions from a static compression-only mechanism to a dynamic system that incorporates both axial compression and transverse pivoting. The bellows portion compresses axially to control fluid flow, while the protrusion enables pivoting motion that dynamically prevents fluid deposition on the valve head during the opening sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the valve body and the pivot support in the housing. This intermediary component transfers the pivoting motion from the housing to the valve, enabling the valve to clear fluid from its head surface without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a collapsible bellows-like mechanism is added to the valve, then fluid deposition is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows portion of the valve is constructed as a flexible, collapsible structure that can compress axially to accept fluid and then expand while pivoting to clear fluid from the valve head. This flexible shell design provides the necessary compliance and motion capability without requiring complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated valve structure: the bellows portion for compression, the protrusion for pivoting, and the valve member for flow control. By combining these functions into one unified component rather than separate mechanisms, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving reliable fluid safety.
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 effectively prevents fluid deposition on the valve face, reducing the risk of droplet formation and fluid entrapment, thereby minimizing anxiety and potential health risks associated with fluid entry into the patient's bloodstream.
Implementation Method 1
When the valve moves from the closed configuration toward the open configuration, the first end portion of the valve may engage against the protrusion such that the second end portion of the valve moves in a direction that is transverse relative to the central longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
a compressible valve with a protrusion that pivots away from the syringe face
Data Source
AI summary
A needleless connector includes a housing having a central longitudinal axis, a body portion, and a base portion. The body portion includes an inner surface forming an internal cavity, and a first port forming a first fluid passage to the housing cavity. The base portion includes a top end section and a bottom end section. The top end section has a protrusion, and the bottom end portion has a second port forming a second fluid passage to the housing cavity. The needleless connector further includes a valve having a wall with an inner surface forming a valve cavity. The valve is coupled with the housing such that the protrusion is positioned in the valve cavity, and a proximal end of the protrusion is spaced apart from a proximal end of the valve cavity.