Neutral-Displacement Fluid Connector Assembly Without Post Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neutral displacement needle-free connectors are susceptible to component breakage due to overlapping luers and central posts, leading to fluid leakage and reduced medical delivery efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector assembly with a housing and a compressible member that maintains separation between posts, using seals to regulate fluid flow and prevent overlap, ensuring neutral fluid displacement during connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If luers are overlapped to transmit fluid, then fluid transmission is enabled, but the risk of component breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a neutral displacement mechanism as an intermediary between the male and female luers. This mechanism includes a neutral zone with a barrier that prevents direct contact between the luers during connection, allowing fluid transmission while eliminating the harmful overlap that causes component breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful overlapping action from the connection process by implementing a neutral displacement design. The male luer is displaced neutrally (neither forward nor backward) relative to the female luer, removing the relative movement that causes contact and breakage while maintaining fluid transmission capability.
2Reliability
If neutral displacement is used to prevent breakage, then component durability improves, but fluid leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier in the neutral zone acts as an intermediary sealing element. It prevents fluid from leaking along the external surfaces of the connectors while allowing the neutral displacement to occur. The barrier creates a fluid-tight seal that directs fluid through the intended pathway, eliminating leakage risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface is segmented into distinct zones: a neutral zone with a barrier for sealing, and fluid transmission pathways. This segmentation allows the barrier to independently handle the sealing function while the luers handle fluid transmission, resolving the contradiction between durability and leakage prevention.
3Productivity
If posts overlap during connection, then fluid flow path is established, but fluid loss and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier in the neutral zone serves as an intermediary that prevents fluid from escaping during the connection process. By blocking the neutral zone, it ensures fluid remains contained within the intended flow path, preventing fluid loss and contamination while the fluid flow pathway is established through the connectors.
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
Minimizes the risk of component breakage and fluid leakage, maintaining efficient fluid delivery by preventing overlap between posts and forming seals to contain fluid within the connector assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible member disposed in the internal volume, the compressible member comprising a cavity; a first connector secured with the housing at the first end, the first connector comprising: a post located in the cavity, and an opening formed in the post; and a second connector, when secured with the housing at second end, displaces the compressible member and forms a seal that causes a fluid entering the second connector to pass through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid connectors assemblies that provide neutral fluid displacement without overlapping connectors are disclosed. A fluid connector assembly may include a housing and a pair of connectors (e.g., luers) coupled with the housing. A compressible member (e.g., bellow) is located within the housing. The first connector and the second connector each include a post with an opening. The compressible member can seal off the opening of the first connector from fluid entry. However, when the post of the second connector is inserted into the housing, the post of the second connector displaces the compressible member, causing the compressible member to uncover the opening, and further causes the compressible member to open in another location and receive fluid. Further, the compressible member seals each of the first connector and the second connector and forms a fluid path through the posts and the compressible member, with the seals regulating fluid flow.