Antimicrobial Stopcock Bore Insert for Microbial Growth Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stopcock medical connectors in infusion therapy systems are prone to microbial growth due to stagnant fluid, leading to potential infections when the connector is opened, as existing methods fail to effectively prevent microbial proliferation.

Innovation Solution

An antimicrobial insert is seated within the annular bore of the stopcock connector's tap, exposing the fluid to antimicrobial agents such as chlorhexidine diacetate or silver sulfadiazine, which inhibit microbial growth and are retained through friction or adhesive, ensuring continuous antimicrobial protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a stopcock medical connector is used to selectively administer fluid, then fluid administration control is improved, but microbial growth risk increases due to stagnant fluid in the closed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid administration controlVSAvoidmicrobial growth risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An antimicrobial insert is introduced as an intermediary component within the stopcock connector's fluid pathway. This insert contains antimicrobial agents that actively prevent microbial proliferation in the stagnant fluid, mediating between the fluid storage function and infection prevention requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The antimicrobial insert is pre-installed within the stopcock connector before use. The antimicrobial agents are already positioned in the fluid pathway, performing preliminary protection against microbial growth before any fluid administration or stagnation occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 antimicrobial insert effectively prevents microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector, reducing the risk of infections by maintaining a sterile environment even when the connector is closed, thereby enhancing the safety of infusion therapy.

Implementation Method 1

the antimicrobial insert comprises a polymer material having an antimicrobial coating applied to the outer surface of the antimicrobial insert

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 2

the antimicrobial insert comprises a polymer material forming a matrix comprising a plurality of interstices in which antimicrobial material is loaded or dispersed and is therefore capable of eluting out of the polymer material when the antimicrobial insert is exposed to a fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElution: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

ensuring continuous antimicrobial protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

retained through friction or adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11077293B2Antimicrobial inserts for stopcock medical connectors

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.