Tube Identification Ring for Error-Proof Fluid Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
In biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes using single-use apparatuses, erroneous connections between tubes can lead to contamination due to the difficulty in visually identifying standardized components, requiring labor-intensive reconfirmation to ensure correct assembly.
Innovation Solution
An erroneous connection prevention tool with an annular member and identification information is used to guide the connection of tubes between apparatuses, ensuring correct alignment by moving along the tube and confirming connection information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standardized single-use apparatuses are used, then productivity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the ability to visually identify individual components deteriorates, leading to increased risk of erroneous connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by attaching unique identification information (such as codes, colors, or markers) to specific locations on standardized single-use apparatuses and tubes. This allows each component to maintain its standardized form while having distinctive local characteristics that enable visual identification and prevent erroneous connections during assembly operations.
2Reliability
If reconfirmation operations are performed to ensure correct connections, then connection accuracy is improved, but the complexity and time required for assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the identification system to be inherently built into the single-use apparatuses and tubes through factory-applied markers or codes. This eliminates the need for separate reconfirmation operations, as the identification information is already present and can be quickly verified during normal assembly procedures, thereby maintaining high connection accuracy without increasing process complexity.
3Reliability
If identification information is attached to apparatuses, then connection accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by using simple, low-cost identification markers, codes, or color indicators that are attached to single-use apparatuses. These identification elements are inexpensive and do not require complex structures or mechanisms, thereby improving connection accuracy while adding minimal complexity to the disposable apparatuses that are discarded after a single use.
Data Source
AI summary
Preventing erroneous connection of a tube connected for transferring fluid between first and second apparatuses. The tube is surrounded from an outer peripheral side by an erroneous connection prevention tool whose main body portion is configured as an annular member. The tool is attached with identification information associated with connection information indicating a connection destination of the tube. One end side of the tube is connected to a preset connection destination. The erroneous connection prevention tool is moved from one end side to another end side of the tube along the tube. The connection information associated with the identification information of the erroneous connection prevention tool is moved to the other end side is confirmed. Then another end side of the tube is connected to a preset connection destination of an apparatus on another side of the first or second apparatus based on the confirmed connection information.