Self-Closing Aseptic Connector with Piercing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid connectors fail to prevent contamination of aseptic fluids, leading to potential infections and illnesses in medical, food processing, and industrial applications, as the fluid-contacting surfaces are exposed to the ambient atmosphere before interconnection, making them unreliable and time-consuming to disinfect.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing connector system with a piercing member and a pierceable septum, where the closure is biased to normally close the port, forming a fluid-tight seal, and only opens when the septum is pierced, maintaining sterility throughout fluid transfer and preventing external contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fluid-contacting surfaces are exposed to the ambient atmosphere before interconnection, then the connectors can be easily assembled, but the fluids become contaminated through contact with airborne germs and contaminated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is pre-positioned to cover the port before connection occurs. This preliminary protective action prevents contamination from occurring in the first place, while still allowing easy assembly since the closure is already in place and requires no additional steps during connection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alcohol wipes or disinfectants are applied to the fluid-contacting surfaces prior to interconnection, then contamination is prevented, but the process becomes time-consuming and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member acts as a disposable barrier that is already in place before connection. Instead of requiring time-consuming disinfection procedures, the closure provides immediate protection and can be discarded after use, eliminating the time loss associated with manual disinfection while ensuring contamination prevention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure member is added to close the port, then fluid contamination is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is merged with the piercing member as a single integrated component. This combining of functions (closure and piercing) into one element adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing contamination, as the closure is simply an additional feature on the existing piercing member rather than a separate component.
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 system ensures a closed system for sterile fluid transfer, reducing bio-burden by at least 3 logs and maintaining sterility of the fluid and connector surfaces, even in non-sterile environments, thereby preventing contamination and ensuring safe transfer of aseptic fluids.
Implementation Method 1
the closure forms a substantially fluid-tight seal between the at least one port and the ambient atmosphere when in the first position
Implementation Method 2
the closure is biased in the direction from the second position to the first position to normally close the at least one port
Data Source
AI summary
An aseptic fluid connector having a male connector and a female connector engageable to aseptically transfer fluid therethrough. The male connector includes a closure and a piercing member comprising a hollow shaft for receiving fluid therein, a tip, and at least one port in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow shaft for passage of the fluid therethrough. The closure and/or the shaft is movable between (i) a first position wherein the closure closes the port(s), and (ii) a second position opening the port(s). The female connector includes a pierceable septum. The male and female connector are engageable such that the piercing member pierces the pierceable septum. Only when the pierceable member has fully penetrated the pierceable septum can the closure and/or the shaft move from the first position, to the second position to aseptically transfer fluid therethrough.