Single-Valve Breakaway Connector for Needle-Free IV Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breakaway fluid line connectors with two valves are not optimized for use with needle-free connectors, resulting in a bulky and oversized assembly, and are not efficient in size, scale, and operation.
Innovation Solution
A breakaway connector device with only one valve that integrates with a needle-free connector, utilizing a moveable cannula to open and close the fluid path, and a compressible sheath to ensure fluid flow control during separation, reducing the number of parts and assembly size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional breakaway connectors with two valves are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the assembly becomes bulky and oversized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of the patient-side valve with the needle-free connector's seal, eliminating the need for a separate patient-side valve component. The needle-free connector's seal performs dual functions: maintaining sterility and acting as the patient-side valve, thereby reducing overall assembly size while maintaining fluid flow control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The needle-free connector's seal is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sterile barrier protection and acts as a check valve to prevent backflow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing assembly complexity and size while maintaining reliable fluid management
2Reliability
If conventional breakaway connectors with two valves are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into fewer components. The needle-free connector's seal integrates the sterile barrier function with the patient-side valve function, reducing the total number of parts from three (injection-side valve, outflow-side valve, and seal) to two (injection-side valve and multi-functional seal), thereby simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the patient-side valve function from the breakaway connector assembly and relocates it to the needle-free connector's seal. This extraction simplifies the breakaway connector design by removing unnecessary components while maintaining fluid flow control through the seal's integrated functionality
3Reliability
If conventional breakaway connectors with two valves are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the seal and patient-side valve into a single component (the needle-free connector's seal), the invention reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-tested. This consolidation lowers manufacturing complexity and associated costs while maintaining reliable fluid flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards the redundant patient-side valve component from the breakaway connector assembly, relying instead on the needle-free connector's seal to provide both sterile barrier and valve functions. This elimination of unnecessary components reduces material costs, assembly costs, and overall manufacturing expenditure
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 simplifies the design, reduces manufacturing costs, improves sterility, and minimizes user error by leveraging the existing needle-free connector's seal as a patient-side valve, ensuring efficient fluid management during connection and separation.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible sheath to ensure fluid flow control during separation
Implementation Method 2
the seal on the needle-free connector blocks outflow from the patient-side tubing assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A breakaway connector apparatus including a housing and a breakaway component is configured for attachment directly to a needle-free fitting on an intravenous line. The breakaway connector apparatus includes only one valve. The apparatus is configured to open both the valve and a seal on the needle-free fitting when the breakaway component is attached to the needle-free fitting. When tension is applied to the connector, the breakaway component is configured to detach from the apparatus while remaining attached to the needle-free fitting, thereby closing the valve on the apparatus and also closing the seal on the needle-free fitting. In some embodiments, the breakaway connector apparatus includes one or more securing arms and one or more corresponding securing bars to prevent re-connection of the apparatus following disengagement of the breakaway component from the apparatus.