Snap-Fit Fluid Connector Valve Assembly Against Unintended Dislodgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid connections, such as those used in IV fluid lines, are prone to unintended dislodgement or disconnection due to unexpected forces, leading to potential patient injury, infection, and exposure to harmful medicaments.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector system comprising first and second valve assemblies with specific design features that resist separation under normal forces, allowing fluid flow when coupled and obstructing flow upon separation, featuring a sleeve with a ridge and an arm protrusion to engage and prevent unintended disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple fluid connection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a nested structure where an inner connector is inserted into an outer connector. The inner connector contains a post that fits into a receptacle in the outer connector, creating an interlocking arrangement. This nested design allows for secure connection while maintaining ease of operation, as the inner connector can be straightforwardly inserted into the outer connector without complex assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates pre-configured engagement features including a post with a first engagement feature and a receptacle with a corresponding second engagement feature. These features are preliminarily positioned to automatically engage when the connectors are assembled, providing inherent resistance to unintended dislodgement without requiring additional operational steps from the user.
2Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: an outer connector housing, an inner connector with a post, engagement features (first and second engagement features), and a fluid pathway. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining connection security through the coordinated interaction of these segmented elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure. The housing serves as both a protective enclosure and a structural support; the post serves as both a mechanical connector and a fluid pathway conduit; the engagement features provide both mechanical interlocking and positioning functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid connector systems that can include first and second valve assemblies that are couplable together to form a fluid pathway through the fluid connector system when the first and second valve assemblies are coupled together, and can resist fluid flow through each of the first and second valve assemblies when the first and second valve assemblies are separated from each other, where the first and second valve assemblies can include a compressible element or post positioned within a channel and configured resist fluid flow through the respective first or second valve assembly in a first position and to reduce the resistance to fluid flow through the first or second valve assembly in a second position, and the first and second valve assemblies including a sleeve and one or more arm configured to engage each other to form a snap fitting feature that can resist separation therebetween.