Segmented Medical Connector Closure Cap with Tamper Evidence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient, effective, and easily applied closure assembly that can seal a female connector during non-use, restrict fluid flow, indicate tampering, and ensure secure closure and sealing in medical connectors like IV assemblies and tubing, while allowing easy attachment and detachment in a 'push-on, twist-off' manner.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly with a closure cap featuring a flow-restricting portion and hingedly attached segments that move between open and closed orientations, integrated with a housing assembly providing a tamper-evident structure and positive coupling for secure attachment and removal, facilitating flow restriction and sealing of medical connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closure assembly is designed to provide secure sealing and tamper indication, then reliability and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure cap is divided into multiple segments (first segment, second segment, third segment) that can move independently between open and closed orientations. Each segment can be positioned to seal against the connector body, providing reliable sealing while allowing the segments to be manipulated separately for easier operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure cap is disposed within the housing assembly, which contains the tamper-evident structure. This nested configuration integrates multiple functions (sealing, tamper indication, and structural support) into a compact assembly, improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
2Reliability
If a closure assembly uses multiple segments for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segments are designed to be movable between open and closed orientations rather than fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the segments to be easily manipulated into the closed position for sealing and opened for access, improving ease of operation while maintaining sealing effectiveness when closed.
3Reliability
If a tamper-evident structure is integrated into the housing assembly, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident structure is integrated into the housing assembly rather than being a separate component. The housing contains both the closure cap and the tamper-evident features (such as a breakable seal or indicator mechanism), merging multiple functions into a single assembly and reducing overall system complexity.
4Reliability
If a closure assembly provides flow restriction through multiple segments, then fluid flow control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required squeezing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The segments are designed to move dynamically between open and closed positions. During attachment, the segments can be easily opened to allow the connector to be inserted. During removal, the segments can be opened to release the connector without requiring excessive squeezing forces, improving ease of operation while maintaining flow control when closed.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure assembly structured to be attached in flow restricting relation to a medical connector and removed therefrom utilizing a push-on and twist-off manipulation. The closure assembly comprises a cap having a preferably male flow restricting portion, wherein the cap is operatively disposed in removable, flow restricting attachment to a female medical connector. A plurality of segments collectively define a sidewall of the cap and are individually and collectively movable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to at least the flow restricting portion and a medical connector attached thereto. The closed orientation comprises the plurality of segments disposed in covering, retaining relation to the attached medical connector and the open orientation comprises an outward disposition of the plurality of segments and an accessible, exposure of the flow restricting portion. A tamper evident structure may be operatively associated with a housing assembly of the closure assembly.