Rotatable Tube Connector for Sterile Fluid Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for fluid processing systems, particularly in pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries, lack efficient and orientation-independent fluid connection solutions, especially when dealing with large diameter conduits or stiff braiding, which can lead to difficulties in fluid transfer and sterility maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A connector assembly comprising a hollow connector body with resilient fingers and a rotatable hollow tube, featuring annular seals and a locking mechanism, allowing for independent rotation of the tube within the connector body without rotating the body itself, enabling fluid connections regardless of device orientation and maintaining sterility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a connector body with fixed tube is used, then the structure is simple, but the connector cannot accommodate different device orientations and large diameter conduits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation independenceVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow tube is made rotatable within the connector body by providing grooves on the outer surface of the tube that engage with resilient fingers having inwardly facing projections. This allows the tube to rotate independently to accommodate different device orientations while maintaining a relatively simple connector body structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is divided into two independent rotatable components: the connector body and the hollow tube. Each can rotate independently within its respective grooves and resilient finger engagements, providing orientation independence without requiring complex mechanisms in either component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the tube is made rotatable to enable orientation-independent connections, then adaptability improves, but the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation independenceVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sterile barrier is provided in the form of a resilient deformable annular seal at the open end of the hollow tube and another seal between the tube and connector body. These seals are positioned beforehand to maintain sterility during the rotation operation, allowing the tube to rotate without exposing the fluid path to contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Resilient deformable annular seals are used to create flexible barriers that maintain sterility during rotation. The deformable nature of these seals allows them to accommodate the rotation movement while maintaining the sterile barrier, preventing contamination during the orientation-adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If resilient fingers with inwardly facing projections are used to enable tube rotation, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube rotationVSAvoidgroove and projection alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient fingers are designed to deform elastically during the rotation operation. This parameter change (from rigid to deformable) allows the inwardly facing projections to engage with the grooves on the tube during rotation, providing ease of operation while the deformation accommodates minor manufacturing variations in groove and projection alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables secure, orientation-independent fluid connections even with large diameter conduits, ensuring sterility and ease of use, particularly suitable for single-use technology applications and reducing the risk of contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient deformable annular seal arranged in an annular groove, wherein the resilient deformable annular seal seals against the hollow tube in the annular groove surrounding the central aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the inner wall having at least two resilient fingers, each of the at least two resilient fingers having an upper tip with an inwardly facing projection; the inwardly facing projections of the at least two resilient fingers of the hollow connector body are inserted in the upper groove of the hollow tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11796109B2Connector with rotatable tube

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 CYTIVA US LLC

AI summary

A connector is provided comprising a hollow connector body having a central aperture and a hollow tube that is rotatable within the central aperture without rotating the hollow connector body.