Rotating Luer Connector for Syringe Marking Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical connectors lack standardization in thread timing position, leading to misalignment of syringe graduation markings, making it difficult for healthcare professionals to read them accurately.
Innovation Solution
A rotating luer connector design with a first connector that is rotatable relative to a body, allowing a predetermined angle of rotation (e.g., 45 degrees) and featuring a stop to restrict rotation, along with a dial member and projections for easy manipulation, ensuring syringe barrel orientation for clear graduation marking visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed Luer connector design is used, then the connection structure is simple and reliable, but the syringe graduation markings cannot be oriented for easy reading
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a rotatable first connector member that can rotate about a longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. This dynamic element allows the connector to change its orientation relative to the syringe barrel, enabling the user to rotate the connector to align graduation markings with the viewing direction, thereby improving visibility without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion, a rotatable first connector member with valve, and a second connector member. This segmentation allows the rotation function to be isolated to a specific component (the first connector member) while keeping the overall structure organized and manageable. The segmented design enables the rotation mechanism to improve visibility without requiring the entire connector system to be complex.
2Ease of operation
If the first connector is made rotatable to align markings, then graduation marking visibility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first connector member is designed with rotational capability about a longitudinal axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This allows the user to rotate the connector to any desired angle to align graduation markings with the viewing direction. The rotational degree of freedom is limited to what is necessary for alignment, avoiding excessive complexity while achieving the visibility improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates asymmetric features including a projection on the first connector member that engages with a recess in the body, creating a predetermined angular position. This asymmetric engagement mechanism provides a simple yet effective way to achieve reliable alignment without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, as the asymmetric geometry naturally guides the connector into the correct rotational position.
3Measurement precision
If a predetermined angle of rotation is implemented, then marking alignment precision improves, but the rotation freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The projection and recess engagement mechanism pre-establishes a predetermined angular position for the first connector member relative to the body. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the connector is assembled and used, the graduation markings are automatically aligned at the optimal angle for viewing. The preliminary action of engagement automatically provides the precise alignment without requiring the user to manually adjust to a specific angle, maintaining both precision and ease of use.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical connector includes a body, a first connector defining a longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the first connector to a second end of the first connector and a second connector secured to the body and in fluid communication with the first connector. The first connector is secured to and rotatable relative to the body about the longitudinal axis. The first connector includes a valve member and is configured to be secured to a syringe barrel. The valve member of the first connector having a sealed position and an open position. The valve member of the first connector is configured to move from the sealed position to the open position when a syringe barrel is secured to the first connector.