Sealer-Less Plasma Bottle Top With Vent Filter and Locking Cannula
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Solution Overview
Problem
Plasma storage containers in existing systems face issues with plastic stubs and ports that can break during transport and storage, compromising sterility, and require radiofrequency sealing, which is inefficient and potentially damaging.
Innovation Solution
A top for plasma storage containers featuring a top body with an inlet opening, a valve mechanism, and a vent opening, including a septum and a locking mechanism to secure the cannula, a vent filter, and splash guards to prevent liquid contact, ensuring sterility and efficient air venting without stubs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic stubs and ports are used in plasma storage containers, then plasma collection and storage is enabled, but the stubs and ports become brittle and break during transport and storage when plasma is frozen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic plastic stubs and ports entirely from the plasma storage container design. Instead of having external protruding elements that extend from the bottle, the system uses a flat closure system where all connections are made through the closure surface itself, eliminating the brittle components that cause failure during freezing and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than extending ports outward from the bottle as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by having the closure system integrate all connection points flush with the bottle surface. The cannula connects directly to the closure without requiring external stubs, fundamentally reversing the traditional port configuration.
2Reliability
If radiofrequency sealing tongs are used to seal tubing stubs, then the tubing is sealed to the ports, but the process is inefficient and potentially damaging to the plasma and container
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the radiofrequency thermal sealing process with a mechanical compression sealing system. The closure is crimped onto the bottle using mechanical force that compresses the closure against the bottle neck, creating a seal without requiring heat or radiofrequency energy, thereby eliminating the inefficiencies and potential damage associated with thermal sealing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from thermal/radiofrequency parameters to mechanical compression parameters. Instead of using heat and electromagnetic energy to create seals, the system uses controlled mechanical crimping force, fundamentally changing the physical parameters involved in the sealing process to achieve both integrity and efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If ports extend from the plasma bottle surface, then plasma can be introduced and vented, but the protruding stubs pose problems during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the protruding ports and stubs that extend from the bottle surface. The closure system is designed to be flat and flush with the bottle, eliminating external elements that could pose safety risks during transport and storage while maintaining all necessary functions for plasma filling and venting through the closure surface itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention nests all connection mechanisms within the plane of the closure surface rather than having them extend outward. The cannula connection, venting mechanism, and sealing elements are all integrated into the closure body itself, creating a compact, flush-mounted system that eliminates protruding elements while maintaining operational functionality.
4Reliability
If conventional plasma bottles with ports are used, then plasma storage is achieved, but the stubs may break and compromise sterility of the plasma
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the sterile risk introduced by external stubs and ports that can break and compromise plasma sterility. By eliminating these protruding elements and using a flush closure system, the design inherently protects plasma sterility without adding complex protective mechanisms, as there are no breakable external components to begin with.
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 provides a secure, sterile, and efficient plasma storage system that minimizes the risk of port breakage, eliminates the need for radiofrequency sealing, and allows for representative plasma sampling with minimal loss.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic membrane located on underside of the top body and covering the vent opening. The hydrophobic membrane configured to allow air to vent through the vent opening during filling of the plasma storage container
Implementation Method 2
The plug filter is a self-sealing filter configured to seal the vent opening upon exposure of the plug filter to liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A top (120) for a plasma storage container (100) comprises a top body configured to seal an opening of the container, an inlet opening (170) extending through the top body, and a valve mechanism located at least partially within the inlet opening. The valve mechanism includes a resilient member with a septum (200) located nearer the top of the resilient member and a valve wall that extends downward from the septum. The valve mechanism also has an aperture (210) through at least a portion of the resilient member, the aperture configured to open upon connection of a cannula (240) to the container, thereby providing access to the interior of the container. The top further comprises a locking mechanism (720) configured to lock the cannula to the top, a vent opening (160) extending through the top body, and a vent filter (230, 410) to allow air to vent through the vent opening during filling of the container.