Axially Resilient Connector for Extracorporeal Blood Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connectors for medical devices in extracorporeal blood treatment are difficult to manufacture and assemble efficiently, and they do not effectively absorb forces during connection and disconnection of single-use articles, leading to potential damage and the need for frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a hollow link portion and a spring element that provides axial resilience and rotary fixing, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, using a disk or leaf spring design that can be manufactured from inexpensive thermoplastics like POM, PA, PP, PEEK, PPSU, PSU, or PPS, and can be encoded with color for standardization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a connector is manufactured using injection molding with thermoplastics, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but the connector cannot effectively absorb forces during connection and disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional segments: a rigid body portion providing structural support, a resilient portion providing force absorption, and a connecting portion linking them. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall connector performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes elastic deformation of the resilient portion made from elastomeric material to absorb forces during connection and disconnection. The material properties and geometric parameters of the resilient portion are specifically designed to provide the necessary force absorption capability.
2Strength
If traditional fastening methods (gluing or screwing) are used, then the connector can be securely fastened to the housing, but the fastening cannot be easily detached for exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element provides a dynamic, reversible fastening mechanism that can be easily engaged and disengaged. The elastic properties of the spring element allow for repeated attachment and detachment operations while maintaining secure fastening during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically provides both fastening and release functions through its elastic deformation. The connector can be self-fastened by simply inserting it into the housing, and self-released by applying axial force to overcome the spring element's retention force.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is designed to be detachable for exchange, then exchangeability is improved, but the connector may become loose or unstable during use
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element creates a dynamic retention system that maintains stable connection during normal use through elastic force, while allowing easy release when needed. The spring constant and preload force are designed to provide sufficient retention force for stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the connector have different mechanical properties: the body portion provides structural stability and positioning, while the resilient portion provides elastic retention. This local differentiation of material and structural properties ensures both stability during use and ease of exchange.
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 connector effectively absorbs axial and tensile forces, preventing damage during use and allowing for quick exchange without tools, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and user safety by providing a standardized interface for single-use articles in medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
the connector comprises a spring element adapted to be detachably mounted to this link portion so that the connector is supported to be axially resilient on the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A connector adapted to be detachably arranged in an opening of a housing of a medical device and including a connecting element to which a single-use article can be connected outside of the housing is disclosed. Via a hollow link portion the connecting element is connected to a coupling adapted to be inserted into the interior of the housing through the opening of the housing. Moreover, the connector includes a spring element adapted to be detachably arranged at the link portion so that the connector is supported at the housing to be axially resilient via the spring element. A medical device for extracorporeal blood treatment including such connector as an interface to a single-use article, for example, is also disclosed.