Universal Fluid Container Adapter for Endoscopic Tubing Sets

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid container adapters are not compatible with a wide range of fluid container designs, necessitating manufacturers to produce multiple versions, complicating product acquisition and stocking for healthcare facilities.

Innovation Solution

Development of universal fluid container adapters that can couple with various fluid container designs, featuring adjustable threads, elastic members, and carriages to accommodate different thread patterns and dimensions, ensuring compatibility and secure fluid communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of fluid container adapters are produced to match different fluid container designs, then compatibility with various container designs is improved, but device complexity and inventory management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various container designsVSAvoidinventory management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple fluid container designs through a single standardized connection mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized adapter versions and simplifying inventory management while maintaining broad compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a standardized adapter design is used for all fluid containers, then device complexity and inventory management are simplified, but compatibility with different thread patterns and container designs is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinventory management simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with different thread patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter incorporates adjustable parameters such as interchangeable thread inserts or resizable sealing surfaces that can be modified to match different thread patterns and container dimensions, allowing a single standardized adapter design to accommodate various container types without compromising compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If custom adapters are manufactured for each fluid container design, then compatibility and sealing performance are optimized, but manufacturing cost and acquisition complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter design separates the sealing function from the threading interface, using modular components such as removable seal elements or interchangeable thread adapters that can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining optimized sealing performance for different container designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables manufacturers to offer adaptable products for a broader market and simplifies product acquisition and stocking by healthcare facilities, while maintaining efficient and safe access to fluid contents.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing elastic members and adjustable threads to create a secure seal and fluid communication with the container's interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4195994B1Endoscopic systems with fluid container adapters
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP4195994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195994B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP4195994B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

Various embodiments are generally directed to fluid container adapters that couple with a fluid container, so to enable access to the contents of the fluid container, such as from an endoscopic system via a tubing set. Several embodiments are particularly directed to a fluid container adapter that can couple with an opening in a variety of fluid containers to place one or more tubes in fluid communication with an interior of any particular one of the variety of fluid containers.