Upward-Opening Concentrate Container Valve for Blood Treatment Spillage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blood treatment devices face issues with the connection of concentrate containers during disinfection and priming, leading to spills and crystallization due to the downward opening design, which complicates hygiene and clogs the system.
Innovation Solution
The container is designed with upward-opening connection elements and a fluid dosing unit with a valve that closes when not in use, allowing for easier and more hygienic connection, preventing spills, and simplifying the connection process by allowing attachment at any time, with linear fluid flow channels and easy filter integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connection element of the container is opened in a downward direction to assist connection by gravity, then the connection process becomes easier, but liquid concentrate spills and drips from the connection element after treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is inverted from the conventional downward-opening design to an upward-opening design. This reversal prevents liquid concentrate from dripping out of the connection element after treatment, as the opening now faces upward rather than downward. The connection element is configured to open in an upward direction away from the blood treatment device, fundamentally inverting the conventional design to eliminate the spillage problem.
2Ease of operation
If the connection element opens downward to allow easy connection, then connection is simplified, but liquid concentrate collects in the connection element causing crystallization and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is inverted from the conventional downward-opening design to an upward-opening design. This reversal prevents liquid concentrate from collecting in the connection element, as the opening now faces upward rather than downward. By inverting the opening direction, the design eliminates the stagnation zone where liquid would otherwise accumulate and crystallize, preventing clogging and maintaining reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the concentrate container cannot be connected during disinfection/rinsing, then the blood treatment device can be properly disinfected, but the connection process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The container is equipped with a connection element that includes an integrated valve mechanism that automatically closes during disinfection and rinsing processes. This preliminary configuration of the valve allows the container to remain connected to the blood treatment device during disinfection without causing contamination, as the valve prevents fluid communication during these processes. The valve is pre-configured to respond to the disinfection state, eliminating the need for separate connection/disconnection steps.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a valve is added to the fluid dosing unit to close when no container is connected, then spillage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is merged with the connection element itself, forming an integrated structure. The valve is not a separate component but is built into the connection element, combining the connection function and the spillage prevention function in a single integrated component. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining spillage prevention capabilities, as the valve mechanism is incorporated into the existing connection structure rather than being added as a separate system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to a container comprising a connection portion allowing for an easy, efficient and more hygienic connection of the container to a fluid dosing unit of a blood treatment device. According to the present invention the fluid dosing unit comprises a valve that fluidically closes the fluid dosing unit if no container is connected to the fluid dosing unit and that opens the fluid dosing unit upon connection of a container to the fluid dosing unit. Thus, undesired spillages potentially arising upon disconnection of the container from the fluid dosing unit can be avoided.