Universal Threaded Cap Assembly for Multi-Container Fluid Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid container enclosures for endoscopic systems are not compatible with a wide range of fluid container designs, leading to complications in manufacturing, product acquisition, and increased procedure times due to the need for multiple customized enclosures and varying thread configurations.

Innovation Solution

A universal enclosure system with a cap that includes a primary carriage and a secondary carriage, equipped with internal threads and a biasing mechanism, allowing it to accommodate fluid containers with different thread dimensions and configurations, while maintaining a seal and enabling access through tubing sets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple customized enclosures with varying thread configurations are used to accommodate different fluid container designs, then compatibility with various container types is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

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

Solution Approach 1:

The cap assembly is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple fluid container types through a single standardized structure. The carriage mechanism with adjustable carriages allows one cap assembly to interface with various container thread configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized enclosures.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The cap assembly is divided into modular components including a cap body and multiple interchangeable carriages. Each carriage can be independently configured or exchanged to match different container thread patterns, allowing the system to adapt to various container types while maintaining a consistent overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple customized enclosures are maintained for different fluid container designs, then specific container compatibility is improved, but manufacturing and product acquisition complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single cap assembly design serves multiple container types, standardizing the manufacturing process. Instead of producing various specialized enclosures, the system uses one universal cap assembly with configurable carriages, simplifying production and inventory management.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple customized enclosures with different thread configurations are used, then compatibility with various container designs is improved, but procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer design compatibilityVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cap assembly is pre-configured with multiple carriages that can be quickly exchanged or adjusted to match the required container type. This preliminary preparation of the universal interface allows rapid adaptation during procedures without requiring time-consuming customization or selection among multiple specialized enclosures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If a universal enclosure system with interchangeable carriages is used, then adaptability to different thread configurations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread configuration compatibilityVSAvoidenclosure system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple carriages are nested within the cap assembly structure, with each carriage capable of being positioned or exchanged as needed. This nested arrangement allows the system to maintain a compact form factor while incorporating multiple thread configuration options, reducing the spatial and operational complexity compared to having separate enclosures for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4461416B1Universal thread fluid container enclosure systems
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP4461416B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4461416B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4461416B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

The present invention discloses an enclosure system for enclosing a plurality of types of fluid containers, comprising a cap component comprising a skirt having a plurality of internal threads arranged on an internal surface thereof to engage port threads of a port of the plurality of types of fluid containers; and a biasing component coupled to a portion of the skirt to bias the skirt inward; wherein the skirt is configured to expand outward against biasing of the biasing component responsive to internal pressure of the port on the internal surface as the cap component is pushed down on the port to increase an inner diameter of the skirt to allow the plurality of internal threads to engage port threads having different dimensions.