Swappable Fiber Connection Interface for High-Cycle Medical Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent wear-out and failure of connection components between medical devices and capital equipment during medical procedures increase patient risk and maintenance costs, necessitating a reliable and maintainable connection solution.

Innovation Solution

A connection component with optical and electrical fibers configured for coupling medical devices and capital equipment, allowing for cleaning, polishing, disinfection, and alignment, and enabling replacement at the point-of-use, facilitating a seamless transition between components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If connection components are used frequently between medical devices and capital equipment, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to wear-out and failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of proceduresVSAvoidconnection component durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into three separable components: a first connection component on the medical device, a second connection component on the capital equipment, and an intermediate connection component. This segmentation allows the intermediate component to be replaced independently, isolating wear from the permanent equipment and enabling frequent connections without compromising overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate connection component is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable element that can be discarded after a single use or when worn. This allows the expensive capital equipment and medical devices to maintain their reliability while the low-cost intermediate component absorbs the wear from frequent connections, resolving the contradiction between high productivity and connection durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If connection components are replaced frequently, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to maintenance interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection component durabilityVSAvoidmaintenance interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate connection component is pre-configured with alignment features and coupling mechanisms that enable rapid connection to both the medical device and capital equipment. This preliminary design allows for quick replacement without complex alignment procedures, reducing the time loss associated with maintaining high reliability through frequent replacements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system is designed to be dynamically replaceable, allowing the intermediate component to be quickly swapped between uses. The flexible coupling mechanisms and alignment features enable maintenance personnel to replace components during minimal downtime, balancing the need for frequent replacements with the need to minimize operational interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If connection components are made swappable, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent replaceabilityVSAvoidconnection interface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate connection component is designed with universal coupling features that can interface with standard connectors on both medical devices and capital equipment. This multi-functionality allows a single intermediate component design to serve multiple purposes and connect to various devices, simplifying the overall system despite the added replaceability feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate connection component acts as a mediator between the medical device and capital equipment, providing a standardized interface that simplifies connections. By introducing this intermediary element with standardized coupling mechanisms, the system achieves ease of repair through replaceability without significantly increasing complexity, as the intermediate component handles the interface complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260076763A1Swappable High Mating Cycle Fiber Connection Interface

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 BARD ACCESS SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A medical system is disclosed that includes a medical device having an optical fiber, and an interchangeable connection component configured to provide a fiber optic connection between the medical device and capital equipment. The connection component is configured to facilitate cleaning and/or polishing of fiber optic interfaces include therewith. The connection component is also configured for replacement by a medical technician while the capital equipment is operational. The capital equipment may include one or more of an optical interrogator, a patch cable, a medical probe, an ultrasound machine, a display, a magnet sensor, or an electro-cardiogram (ECG) machine. The medical device may include an elongate member configured for insertion within the patient body, where the optical fiber core extends along a length of the elongate member.