Universal Disinfecting Cap for Male and Female Threaded Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disinfecting caps for medical connectors are limited to specific types and sizes, failing to accommodate both male and female connectors efficiently, leading to inconsistent disinfection practices and increased risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI).
Innovation Solution
A universal cap design featuring a housing with integrated protrusions and threads that can interlock with both male and female needleless connectors, incorporating an absorbent material and antimicrobial agent for effective disinfection, and a peelable seal to maintain sterility.
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 and number of devices required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with a universal interface system that includes both internal threads (for female connectors) and external threads (for male connectors) integrated into a single cap structure. This allows one cap to perform the function of both a male-specific and female-specific cap, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining optimized disinfection capability for each connector type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal cap design is used for both male and female connectors, then the number of devices is reduced and compliance improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into functional segments: a body portion, an interface portion with threads, and an absorbent material compartment. The interface portion contains both internal and external threading capabilities as separate but integrated features. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce the cap in modular sections that can be assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining universal compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If clinician diligence is relied upon for proper disinfection, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but the risk of contamination increases due to variable compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates an absorbent material that automatically contacts and disinfects the connector upon insertion. The design ensures that proper disinfection occurs through the mere act of connecting the cap to the connector, eliminating the need for clinician judgment or additional manual disinfection steps. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent, thorough disinfection while maintaining procedural simplicity.
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 streamlines the disinfection process by providing a single device capable of effectively disinfecting both male and female connectors, reducing the risk of CRBSI through consistent and thorough antimicrobial contact, thereby improving compliance and reducing microbial contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent material and antimicrobial agent contained within the cap
Data Source
AI summary
A cap is described for connection to a medical connector, the cap includes a housing having a top wall and sidewall forming a first cavity, and a removable or integrally formed protrusion. The protrusion 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 protrusion defines a second cavity. The protrusion includes an outer thread on an outer surface, 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 material and disinfectant or antimicrobial agent. The cap may also include a peel seal and/or septum to prevent the disinfectant or the antimicrobial agent from exiting the second cavity. An exterior sidewall surface of the housing may include a plurality of grip members.