Sterile Transfer Port Magnetic Interlock Without Through-Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rapid transfer ports used in sterile environments face challenges in preventing contamination due to the penetration of germs through through-holes in safety devices, which can lead to incomplete sterilization and increased risk of contamination, especially when seals fail under dynamic stress.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of safety devices with magnetic elements that are movable relative to each other, utilizing closed walls without through-openings to create lock and unlock positions, allowing for contactless activation and preventing germ penetration, thereby enhancing the sterility barrier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If through-holes are used in safety device bolts to allow movement and locking, then the device can perform locking/unlocking functions, but germs can penetrate through the through-holes compromising sterility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidgerm penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical through-hole bolt system with a magnetic field-based locking system. Magnetic elements are positioned on opposite sides of a closed wall, eliminating the need for through-holes while maintaining locking functionality through magnetic attraction forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

A closed wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the two magnetic elements, preventing germ penetration while allowing magnetic forces to transmit through it. The closed wall mediates between the need for structural integrity/sterility and the need for magnetic interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If seals are inserted into through-holes to prevent germ penetration, then sterility is improved, but the seals are dynamically stressed by movable bolts and can fail quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegerm penetrationVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical seal system entirely by replacing the through-hole bolt mechanism with a magnetic field-based locking system. Magnetic forces can penetrate the closed wall without requiring physical seals, thereby eliminating dynamic stress on seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If bolts with through-holes are used for safety devices, then locking and unlocking can be achieved, but the sterilization process becomes difficult and incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidsterilization process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical through-hole system with a magnetic field system where magnetic elements are positioned on external surfaces of closed walls. This eliminates through-holes that would trap contaminants, making the apparatus fully sterilizable while maintaining locking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If magnetic elements are used for contactless activation, then germ penetration is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegerm penetrationVSAvoidmagnetic element arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic elements serve multiple functions: they provide locking forces, enable contactless actuation, and maintain structural integrity of the closed walls. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating several requirements into a single system.

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

This solution effectively reduces the risk of contamination by preventing germ penetration through the sterile barrier, improving the integrity of seals and facilitating easier monitoring, while also simplifying the sterilization process.

Implementation Method 1

The two magnetic elements are configured to mutually attract or to mutually repel through the at least one closed wall either in a lock position or in an unlock position of the at least one of the second safety device, the third safety device and the fourth safety device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction/repulsion: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11883815B2Apparatus for sterile transfer of material between a container and an isolator

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 ATEC PHARMATECHN

AI summary

An apparatus for a sterile transfer of a material incudes a second safety device which locks an actuation mechanism in a closed position and unlocks the actuation mechanism when a container flange is correctly connected to a port flange, a third safety device which locks the container flange connected to the port flange when the actuation mechanism leaves the closed position, and a fourth safety device which blocks a return of the actuation mechanism from the open position to the closed position when the port door is open. The second, third and/or fourth safety device comprises two magnetic elements with at least one closed wall being arranged between the two magnetic elements. The two magnetic elements are configured to mutually attract or to mutually repel through the at least one closed wall either in a lock position or in an unlock position of the second, third and/or fourth safety device.