Self-Sealing Connector Eliminating Dead Space and Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical connectors in intravenous systems suffer from fluid retention and microbial contamination issues due to dead spaces, leading to potential infection and inaccurate dosing due to fluid displacement during connection and disconnection.

Innovation Solution

A self-sealing fluid line connector with a housing, a hollow pin, and a resilient member that provides a continuous seal around the pin, minimizing dead space and preventing microbial contamination, while allowing for easy disinfection and maintaining an optimal flow rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a resilient member is compressed during connection to force trapped fluid from the connector, then fluid retention in spaces is reduced, but additional spaces within the connector remain accessible to fluid and microbes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of fluid retentionVSAvoidmicrobial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the contractible section and fluid escape spaces from the connector design, extracting the source of the problem. By eliminating these spaces entirely, the patent prevents both fluid retention and microbial contamination issues that plagued previous designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member is positioned to surround the pin in a nested configuration, creating a continuous seal that eliminates internal spaces. The seal member envelops the pin completely, leaving no gaps for fluid or microbes to access internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If space is provided between the seal component and the pin component, then the seal can function properly, but fluid can be displaced during connection and disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal functionalityVSAvoidfluid displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of fluid displacement into a benefit by designing a system where the seal member contacts the pin surface directly. This eliminates dead space while maintaining seal functionality, and any fluid displacement is minimized to negligible amounts that do not affect dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If a flat swabable surface is provided to cover the pin, then disinfection is easier, but space remains between the seal and pin allowing fluid access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection capabilityVSAvoiddead space volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the swabable surface function with the seal member itself. The outer surface of the seal member serves dual purposes: it provides a flat swabable surface for disinfection and simultaneously acts as the sealing surface that contacts the pin, eliminating dead space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If multiple mechanical components with cavities are used in the connector, then the connector can be assembled from separate parts, but fluid can become trapped in spaces between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidfluid flow continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals around the pin, prevents microbial contamination, provides a swabable surface, and eliminates dead space. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and cavities that would compromise fluid flow continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves negligible fluid displacement and reduced microbial contamination, ensuring accurate dosing and minimizing the risk of infection, with improved flow rates and ease of disinfection.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member mounted about said pin, the resilient member having a sealing end for sealing the at least one aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

when the resilient member is compressed to allow fluid to flow through the at least one aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2276538B1Improvements relating to self-sealing connectors

Publication Date: 2013.03.20 DISTRIBUIDORA INT DE MEDICAMENTOS & EQUIPO MEDICO DE C V

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AI summary

A self-sealing connector (1) has a housing (5) including a neck (5a); a base (3); a substantially hollow pin (9( extending up through said base into said housing. The holiow pin has a tip portion (9b) and at least one aperture (11). A resilient member (7) is mounted about said pin, the resilient member having a sealing end (7c) for sealing the at east one aperture. A surface of the sealing end and a surface of the tip portion of the pin together define a receiving surface (40) for an in-flow nozzle (22), syringe nib, tubing connector or equivalent. The resilient member further includes a flange (26) adapted to maintain a seal with a surface of the housing neck when the resilient member is in a first position and the at least one aperture is sealed.