Sealer-less Plasma Bottle Top with Septum and Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plasma storage containers with sealed tubing stubs pose issues during transport and storage, as the plastic becomes brittle when frozen, leading to potential breakage and compromising the sealed container requirement.
Innovation Solution
A plasma storage container top with a septum and hydrophobic membrane that allows air to pass through while preventing microorganisms, eliminating the need for sealed tubing stubs by using a skirt and swage connection to secure the septum, and a retainer to hold the cannula in place, facilitating direct plasma collection and sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealed tubing stubs are used to maintain sterility, then sterility is improved, but the plastic becomes brittle when frozen and may break, compromising container integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the sealed tubing stubs from the container design entirely. Instead of having stubs extending from the container that require sealing, the design uses a septum that can be pierced by a cannula for access. This extraction of the problematic stubs eliminates the brittleness and breakage issue while maintaining sterility through the septum-cannula interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and configuration of the closure system. Rather than using sealed tubing stubs that become brittle when frozen, the design employs a flexible septum that can accommodate temperature changes without breaking. The septum material and structure are selected to maintain flexibility and seal integrity across the temperature range from freezing to thawing.
2Ease of operation
If ports with tubing are used for plasma introduction and venting, then plasma collection functionality is improved, but the stubs project from the bottle neck and pose problems during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the external tubing stubs that project from the bottle neck. Instead of having separate ports with extending tubing, the design integrates the access function into a single septum on the container closure. The cannula provides the necessary access during collection, and the septum seals automatically when the cannula is removed, eliminating the projecting stubs that cause transport problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the functions of plasma introduction and venting into a single septum structure on the container closure. Rather than having separate ports for each function with extending tubing, the unified septum design provides a single access point that can be used for both plasma collection and venting operations, eliminating the need for multiple projecting stubs.
3Reliability
If radiofrequency sealing is used to seal tubing stubs, then sterility is maintained, but heat/RF sealing equipment is required and adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for radiofrequency sealing equipment by eliminating the sealed tubing stubs entirely. The design uses a septum that is accessed by piercing with a cannula rather than by sealing pre-attached tubing. This extraction of the sealing requirement eliminates the need for complex heat/RF sealing equipment while maintaining sterility through the pierceable septum design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the thermal/radiofrequency sealing system with a mechanical pierceable septum system. Instead of using heat or RF energy to seal tubing stubs in place, the design uses a mechanically pierceable septum that allows the cannula to penetrate and create a seal through mechanical deformation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex sealing equipment while achieving the same sterility protection.
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
This design reduces the risk of container breakage, maintains sterility, and allows for efficient plasma collection and sampling with minimal loss, eliminating the need for heat/RF sealing equipment and providing a representative plasma sample.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic membrane located on underside of the top body. The membrane covers the vent opening and may allow air to move through the vent opening during filling of the plasma storage container while preventing ingress of undesirable microorganisms
Data Source
AI summary
A top for a plasma storage container includes a top body that defines the structure of the top and seals an opening of the plasma storage container. The top also includes a first opening and a vent opening extending through the top body. A septum is located at least partially within the first opening and includes an aperture therethrough. The septum allows a blunt cannula to pass through the aperture to access the interior of the plasma storage container. The top also includes a hydrophobic membrane located on underside of the top body. The membrane covers the vent opening and allows air to vent through the vent opening during plasma collection.