Spring-Loaded Bag Connector for Hygienic Waste Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bag connector systems for medical applications are not adequately designed to be easy to use, hygienic, and effective in preventing fluid contamination, especially when connecting medical grade tubing to fluid collection bags, particularly for waste fluids like feces and urine.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded bag connector system with a housing having a fluid inlet and outlet portion, featuring a spring-loaded valve that regulates fluid flow, allowing for controlled passage and minimizing contamination by closing when disconnected, and a fixture for attaching to a fluid collection bag, which can be welded or removably attached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bag connector system is designed to allow easy connection and disconnection of medical devices, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid contamination risk increases due to exposed openings
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded valve is pre-positioned in a closed state within the housing, ready to seal the opening before any connection or disconnection action occurs. This preliminary closed state prevents fluid contamination from occurring in the first place during operational transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded valve automatically responds to connection and disconnection actions by self-actuating between open and closed states. When the medical device is disconnected, the spring automatically returns the valve to the closed position without requiring manual intervention, thereby preventing contamination autonomously
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded valve is added to regulate fluid flow automatically, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded valve is designed to be self-actuating, using the mechanical energy from connection and disconnection actions to automatically open and close. This eliminates the need for external control mechanisms, motors, or complex control systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable automatic fluid flow regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as a mechanical intermediary that translates the physical action of connection/disconnection into controlled valve movement. This simple mechanical mediation provides reliable fluid flow control without introducing complex electronic or hydraulic control systems
3Productivity
If the collection bag capacity is increased while maintaining the same footprint, then productivity is improved, but the connector design becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded valve mechanism is nested within the housing structure, with the spring and valve components arranged in a compact configuration inside the available space. This nesting allows the connector to maintain a small footprint while accommodating the valve mechanism needed for reliable fluid control in high-capacity collection systems
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 easy and hygienic connection of medical devices, prevents fluid contamination by maintaining a closed configuration when not in use, and allows for increased collection bag capacity without changing the footprint, enhancing user safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded valve to regulate the exiting of fluid from the housing; wherein compression of the spring-loaded valve results in an open configuration allowing fluid to exit through the openings of the housing; and wherein decompression of the spring-loaded valve results in a closed configuration restricting fluid from exiting the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A spring-loaded bag connector having a spring-loaded valve and a housing comprising a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion. The spring-loaded bag connector is configured to connect with a fluid collection bag to generate a self-closing collection bag. Additionally, the spring-loaded bag connector is configured to couple with a second coupling element, such as a coupling connector, to facilitate the drainage and collection of waste to a fluid collection bag. Uncoupling of the bag connector and the second coupling element results in minimal fluid contamination on the outer surfaces of the bag connector system. The bag connector systems provided herein are included in medical appliances for body waste management.