Self-Sealing Fluid Connector Assembly for Accidental Line Disconnection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unintended dislodgement or disconnection of medical fluid lines can lead to patient injury, infection, and medical professional exposure to medicaments.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector assembly with medical connectors that include compressible members, which automatically decouple and seal off fluid paths when subjected to external forces, preventing fluid leakage and maintaining safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If medical connectors are designed to be easily connected and disconnected for patient care, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended dislodgement and fluid leakage risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible member is pre-positioned to cover the opening in the post, creating a preliminary sealing action that prevents fluid leakage before disconnection can occur. When the connector is properly assembled, the compressible member is compressed to expose the opening for fluid flow, but upon disconnection, it automatically returns to seal the opening, preventing unintended fluid loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary sealing action by default (compressible member covering opening) and only opens the fluid path when properly connected. This preliminary protective state ensures that if disconnection occurs, the seal is already in place to prevent fluid leakage.
2Reliability
If connectors are made secure to prevent unintended dislodgement, then reliability is improved, but ease of intentional disconnection for medical procedures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates dynamic elements including a compressible member that can be compressed during proper assembly to expose the opening, and automatically expands upon disconnection to seal the opening. This dynamic response allows the system to be secure during use but easily disconnected when needed, as the disconnection force naturally triggers the sealing action.
3Reliability
If automatic sealing mechanisms are added to prevent fluid loss during disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible member is designed to automatically perform the sealing function without external intervention. When the connector disconnects, the compressible member self-activates by expanding back to its original position, automatically sealing the opening and preventing fluid leakage without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible member acts as an intermediary element between the connector components, providing the sealing function through its elastic deformation. This simple intermediary component translates the mechanical state of connection/disconnection into the appropriate fluid sealing action without requiring complex control mechanisms.
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 solution effectively limits or prevents patient blood loss, IV fluid loss, infection, and medical delivery delays by ensuring automatic sealing of fluid paths during unintended dislodgement.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible member surrounding the post... the compressible member uncovers the opening, and when the external force is removed, the compressible member seals the opening
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid connector assemblies that seal off fluid paths in the respective connectors are disclosed. When connectors of a fluid connector assembly are connected to each other, respective compressible members in the connectors are displaced, allowing downstream fluid passage through the fluid connector assembly. The connectors maintain a connection by a snap mechanism that provides a threshold retention force. When an external force greater than the threshold force is applied to the fluid connector assembly, the snap mechanism may no longer maintain the connectors together, causing the connectors to decouple from each other. However, each of the compressible members can return to their respective original positions and shapes to seal off respective fluid paths in the connectors, thus preventing further downstream and upstream flow through the fluid connector assembly and limiting or preventing fluid loss.