Negative-Pressure Connector Seal for Low-Force Fluid Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing targeted temperature management (TTM) systems face challenges in achieving a reliable fluid seal between connectors while minimizing the forces applied by clinicians during connection and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A sealing member with a tubular design and annular wall configuration is used to create a fluid seal between connectors. The sealing member compresses to define a contact force between the connectors when negative pressure is applied within the lumen, enhancing the fluid seal without requiring high clinician-applied forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sealing mechanism is used between connectors, then the fluid seal may be reliable, but high forces are required by clinicians to make the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member utilizes the negative pressure already present in the TTM system lumen to automatically compress itself against the connector, creating a seal without requiring external force from the clinician. The system serves itself by using its operational condition (negative pressure) to achieve the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic pressure differentials to achieve sealing. The atmospheric pressure acting on the external surface of the sealing member, combined with negative pressure within the lumen, creates a pressure differential that compresses the sealing member against the connector to form a fluid-tight seal.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the system operates under negative pressure to prevent water leakage, then water leakage is reduced, but the sealing member requires compression to maintain the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of negative pressure (which could cause the sealing member to collapse or leak) into a beneficial force. By positioning the sealing member such that atmospheric pressure acts on its external surface, the negative pressure differential causes the sealing member to compress against the connector, transforming the potential harm into an effective sealing mechanism.
3Reliability
If the sealing member is designed to engage connectors securely, then the fluid seal is reliable, but the connection and disconnection process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is designed as a flexible tubular structure that can elastically deform to engage with the connector. This flexibility allows the sealing member to conform to the connector geometry and maintain a reliable seal without requiring complex mechanical engagement features, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while ensuring fluid seal reliability.
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 solution effectively improves the reliability of the fluid seal between connectors in TTM systems, reducing the risk of water leakage and simplifying the connection process by minimizing the forces required by clinicians.
Implementation Method 1
When a pressure within the lumen is negative, atmospheric acting inward on the annular wall compresses the sealing member to define a contact force between the second annular portion and the second connector sufficient to define a fluid seal between the sealing member and the second connector
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid connector system includes a first connector adjoining a second connector at a junction, and a sealing member coupled to the first connector and the second connector around the junction. The sealing member can include an annular wall having a first annular portion configured to engage the first connector and a second annular portion configured to engage the second connector. The sealing member can include an annular chamber extending between the first annular portion and the second annular portion. The annular chamber can be formed by the first annular portion sealing against an outer surface of the first connector and the second annular portion sealing against an outer surface of the second connector when a pressure between the sealing member and the first connector and the second connector is negative.