Universal Disinfecting Cap With Split-Thread Luer Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfecting caps are limited to specific types of connectors and do not provide a universal solution for both male and female luer connectors, leading to inconsistent disinfection practices and increased risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections due to variations in scrubbing time and compliance.
Innovation Solution
A universal cap with a housing and flexible container that accommodates both male and female connectors, featuring a split-thread design, absorbent material, sealing rubber, and antimicrobial agent, providing a mechanical barrier and disinfection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate disinfecting caps are used for male and female connectors, then each cap can be optimized for its specific connector type, but the device complexity increases and compliance decreases due to multiple different designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single disinfecting cap that can accommodate both male and female luer connectors through a universal interface mechanism. The cap includes a receptacle with a luer interface that can receive either male or female connectors, eliminating the need for separate cap designs for each connector type while maintaining optimized disinfection functionality for both.
2Ease of operation
If manual scrubbing procedures are used, then disinfection can be applied, but compliance varies and scrubbing time consistency cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a cap that automatically ensures proper disinfection when attached to the connector. The cap pre-saturates absorbent material with disinfectant, and the act of attaching the cap itself ensures adequate contact time and coverage without requiring the user to manually scrub for a specific duration, thereby ensuring compliance consistency while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a universal cap design is implemented, then compliance and consistency improve, but the adaptability to different connector types must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both disinfection consistency and connector compatibility through a universal luer interface design. The receptacle is configured to securely receive both male and female connectors with appropriate sealing mechanisms for each type, ensuring that the same cap design can be reliably used across different connector configurations while maintaining consistent disinfection performance.
4Reliability
If disinfectant is applied directly, then disinfection occurs, but risk of disinfectant ingress into the bloodstream increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by using absorbent material (such as sponge or gauze) as a mediator between the disinfectant and the connector surface. The absorbent material is pre-saturated with disinfectant and placed within the cap, allowing controlled transfer of disinfectant to the connector during attachment while preventing direct pooling or ingress of liquid disinfectant into the lumen or bloodstream.
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 cap ensures consistent disinfection of both male and female connectors, reducing the risk of microbial ingress and CRBSI by maintaining a sterile environment and minimizing disinfectant ingress into the bloodstream.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent material configured within the second cavity; a disinfectant or an antimicrobial agent
Implementation Method 2
a sealing rubber/foam; and a cover for maintaining sterility and forming a seal at the open proximal end of the housing and flexible container for maintaining the disinfectant or an antimicrobial agent within the second cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A cap is described for connection to a needleless connector having an open lumen, the cap includes a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a first cavity, a flexible container, an porous absorbent material and a sealing rubber. The flexible container includes an inner thread on an inner surface, the inner thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a female needleless connector. The inner surface of the flexible container defines a second cavity. The sidewall of the housing having a split-thread protrusion integrally formed with the distal wall, an outer thread disposed on an outer surface of the split-thread protrusion, the outer thread being sufficient to interlock with a mating feature of a male needleless connector. The second cavity configured to define a chamber to contain an absorbent reservoir material, a sealing rubber and disinfectant or antimicrobial agent.