Port Protection Device for Encapsulated Filter Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Encapsulated filters with protruding ports and tubing are prone to damage during shipment and sterilization, leading to breakage and contamination, and tubing kinking interferes with device functionality.
Innovation Solution
A port protection device with a main body that encases protruding ports and a tube management system, including tangs, C-shaped holders, or a bellows, to prevent damage and kinking, ensuring secure positioning and orientation of tubing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ports or vents protrude outwardly from the housing for ergonomic reasons, then ease of operation is improved, but the ports become susceptible to damage and can cause damage to packaging material during shipment
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cap is introduced as an intermediary element between the protruding port and the external environment. The cap fits over the port to provide mechanical protection during shipment while allowing the port to maintain its protruding ergonomic configuration for ease of operation during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap is applied beforehand to cushion and protect the protruding port from potential damage during handling and shipment. This preventive measure addresses the vulnerability of protruding ports before any harmful contact can occur.
2Ease of operation
If tubing is allowed to move freely during sterilization, then ease of operation is maintained, but the tubing becomes susceptible to kinking and cross-linking that renders the product useless
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap serves as an intermediary structure that includes features to manage and secure the tubing during sterilization. The cap prevents the tubing from moving freely and becoming kinked, while still allowing the system to function properly when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap is applied in advance to position and secure the tubing before sterilization occurs. This preliminary action prevents kinking and cross-linking during the sterilization process, ensuring product reliability without compromising ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protection device is designed to fully encase the port, then protection from damage is improved, but removal of the protection device becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap is designed as a segmented or split structure that allows it to encase the port for protection while enabling easy removal. The segmentation allows the cap to be opened or separated to facilitate removal without damaging the port or requiring excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cap provides full encasement protection but includes features such as slots or openings that allow for easy removal. The design applies full protection when needed but includes partial openings that facilitate easy removal when the protective function is no longer required.
Data Source
AI summary
Port protection device particularly suited for an encapsulated filter unit. In certain embodiments, the protection device comprises a main body defining an internal region configured to receive a port or the like protruding from an encapsulated filter. In certain embodiments, the main body includes a slot that allows for easy removal of the protection device from the port or the like. A tube management system may be provided to receive and hold tubing. One suitable tube management system includes two spaced tangs that extend from the main body of the protection device and are configured to cooperatively receive and hold tubing between them.