Relief-Cut Connector Coupling for Controlled Medical Tubing Pullout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional couplers for medical tubing and catheters often become dislodged due to improper securement and low resistance to external forces, leading to frequent disconnections during patient movement, which interrupts medical fluid administration.
Innovation Solution
A coupler assembly with a first connector and a second connector featuring flanges separated by cuts, allowing secure coupling and decoupling based on a predetermined threshold force, ensuring stable connection and preventing accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional couplers are used to connect medical tubing, then the coupling structure is simple, but the resistance to external forces is low causing frequent dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The second connector is divided into multiple segments through relief cuts that extend from the outer surface toward the inner surface, creating discrete sections that can independently deflect under external forces. This segmentation allows the coupling structure to absorb and distribute applied forces across multiple segments rather than concentrating stress at a single point, thereby improving resistance to dislodgement while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The relief cuts enable the second connector to dynamically respond to external forces by allowing controlled deflection of its segments. When force is applied, the segments can move relative to each other, absorbing the impact and preventing catastrophic failure. This dynamic behavior enhances the coupling's resistance to external forces without requiring a more complex rigid structure
2Reliability
If the coupling is designed to be secure, then the connection stability is improved, but the ease of decoupling when needed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The relief cuts create a dynamic coupling system where the segments can deflect under excessive force. During normal operation, the coupling remains stable and secure. However, when a deliberate decoupling force is applied, the segments can move apart more easily, allowing for controlled disconnection. This dynamic特性 resolves the contradiction by providing both secure connection during use and ease of decoupling when needed
3Strength
If the connector uses a solid structure without relief cuts, then the structural integrity is high, but the ability to withstand pullout forces is low
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the second connector through relief cuts, the structure can withstand pullout forces through distributed deformation. Each segment can independently deflect and absorb energy, allowing the overall structure to withstand forces that would exceed the strength of a solid, non-segmented connector while maintaining structural integrity through the coordinated behavior of segments
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 coupler assembly provides secure retention of medical fittings, preventing unintended dislodgement during normal patient movements and allowing reconnection after disconnection events, thereby maintaining fluid communication.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the plurality of flanges is configured to deflect radially outward to allow the first connector to decouple from the second connector when the pullout force exceeds the predetermined threshold force
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler including a first connector having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a valve disposed between the first end and the second end. The second end including a mating portion, wherein the valve extends at least partially into the mating portion. The coupling including a second connector having a housing, a plurality of flanges extending from the housing, each of the plurality of flanges being separated from an adjacent flange by a cut. The plurality of flanges configured to engage with the mating portion when the second connector is coupled to the first connector. The first connector is configured to decouple from the second connector in response to a pullout force exceeding a predetermined threshold force.