Non-drip Medical Connector with Elastic Valve and Sliding Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid circuit connectors often form drops during separation, posing risks of fluid deterioration and cross-contamination, especially with dilute medicines like packed red blood cells, and existing solutions do not adequately address these issues.
Innovation Solution
A male and female connector assembly featuring a tubular body with an elastically deformable valve and sliding ring, which seals and locks securely to minimize fluid leakage and drop formation upon disconnection, utilizing bayonet locking mechanisms and a design that ensures easy cleaning and reduced fluid reflux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connectors are separated, then fluid flow is interrupted, but drops form at the outlet causing fluid deterioration and cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a check valve mechanism that prevents drop formation before it can occur during connector separation. The valve is pre-configured to close automatically when flow stops, counteracting the harmful effect of drop formation at the outlet end during disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve acts as an intermediary element between the fluid flow path and the outlet end. It mediates the flow control by allowing forward flow while blocking reverse flow and drop formation, thus protecting the fluid integrity without requiring direct intervention at the connector interface.
2Reliability
If connectors are designed with secure sealing mechanisms, then fluid leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the sealing element in the check valve mechanism. This thin film structure provides effective sealing through its elastic deformation capability, achieving reliable fluid containment without requiring complex rigid sealing mechanisms or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve mechanism is designed to be self-actuating, using the fluid pressure itself to open and close the valve. The elastic membrane automatically responds to pressure changes, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms or additional actuating components, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring secure sealing.
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 assembly effectively limits or eliminates drop formation during connector separation, enhancing the safety and integrity of medical fluids by ensuring secure sealing and easy cleaning, thus reducing the risk of fluid deterioration and cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable, substantially tubular membrane (130), closed at a distal end by a membrane body (132)
Implementation Method 2
The membrane of each connector is movable between a plugging position, wherein the membrane sealingly covers a free end of the connection member, and an connecting position wherein the connection member passes through the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a male connector for a liquid circuit, comprising: a distal connection piece comprising a tubular part that defines a passage; a proximal connection piece; a joining member extending in a fixed and co-axial manner in the tubular part of the distal connection piece, the joining member being formed by a tubular body on which is fixed, at a free end, a cylindrical valve which is elastically deformable and closed at a distal end by a valve thickness traversed by a slit; and a sliding ring mounted on the tubular body, the sliding ring being movable between an inactive position, in which it encapsulates the walls of the valve, leaving the distal end of the valve free, and a connection position, in which it is situated at a distance from the distal end of the valve and exposes all or part of the lateral walls of the valve.