Syringe Adapter Tab Channel Rotation Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare workers face risks of contamination and accidental disconnection during fluid transfer between medical containers, leading to potential exposure to hazardous drugs and compounds, which existing syringe adapters fail to adequately prevent.
Innovation Solution
A syringe adapter with a housing and connector body featuring a tab and channel mechanism that restricts rotation in one direction, providing a secure connection and audible/tactile indications for secure engagement and disengagement, preventing accidental disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a luer-lock element is used to connect syringe and adapter, then the connection can be securely joined and disconnected, but accidental or inadvertent unscrewing may occur leading to disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a tab and channel mechanism that prevents accidental unscrewing before it can occur. The tab engages with the channel to create a mechanical interlock that counteracts any unintended rotational force, while still allowing intentional disconnection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body is designed to be movable relative to the housing between different positions. In the first position, rotation is restricted in one direction and free in another; in the second position, rotation is free in both directions. This dynamic design allows the connection to adapt between secure locked state and disconnected state.
2Reliability
If the connector body is restricted from rotating in one direction, then accidental disconnection is prevented, but the connector cannot be easily disconnected when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body transitions between two distinct positions: first position where rotation is restricted to prevent accidental disconnection, and second position where rotation is free in both directions to enable easy intentional disconnection. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab and channel mechanism provides tactile and audible feedback during connection and disconnection operations. The feedback mechanism confirms when the connector body is properly positioned and locked, and when it is ready for disconnection, guiding the user through the operation.
3Reliability
If a tab and channel mechanism is added to prevent accidental disconnection, then connection security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into distinct functional components: the tab as a separate element and the channel as a receiving feature. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design modular and manageable, reducing the perceived complexity despite added functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A syringe adapter includes a housing having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the housing defining a passageway, and a connector body having a first end and a second end positioned opposite the first end, with the connector body having a connection member configured to be secured to a mating connector. One of the housing and the connector body includes a tab and the other of the housing and the connector body defines a channel that receives the tab, with the connector body movable relative to the housing between a first position where the connector body is restricted from rotating relative to the housing in a first rotational direction and free to rotate relative to the housing in a second rotational direction, and a second position where the connector body is free to rotate in the first and second rotational directions.