Vascular Access Adapter With Self-Healing Septum for Sterile Interchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vascular access devices face challenges in maintaining sterility during interchangeable connections, leading to potential exposure to non-sterile environments and blood leaks during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A vascular access device adapter with a self-healing puncturable septum and a cylindrical housing body, allowing for interchangeable connections while minimizing exposure to non-sterile environments by creating a seal and using a fitting that integrates with various medical devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If devices are interchanged directly with fittings exposed, then ease of operation is improved, but sterility is compromised leading to non-sterile exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of device interchangeVSAvoidexposure to non-sterile environment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the vascular access device and external devices. It includes a sealed chamber with a self-healing septum that mediates the connection process, allowing device interchange while maintaining sterility. The adapter's fitting receives external device connectors, and the self-healing septum seals around piercing needles, preventing non-sterile exposure during connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-healing septum is a flexible membrane that can be pierced by needles and then seals automatically. This thin film structure allows for device interchange through the septum while maintaining the sterile barrier. The flexibility enables needle penetration, and the self-healing property restores the seal after piercing, preventing exposure to non-sterile environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If fittings are exposed during device interchange, then ease of operation is improved, but blood leaks may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of device interchangeVSAvoidblood leak

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter acts as a controlled intermediary that manages the connection process. The sealed chamber with self-healing septum mediates between the vascular access device and external devices, ensuring that blood remains contained within the sterile system during device interchange, thereby preventing blood leaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-healing septum provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-designed to seal automatically after needle piercing. This preventive mechanism ensures that blood leaks are avoided during device interchange, as the septum restores its sealing function immediately after the needle is removed, cushioning against potential blood loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a universal disposable device is created, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniversal compatibilityVSAvoidadapter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with universal compatibility to work with various vascular access devices and external devices. The fitting is configured to accept different connector types, and the self-healing septum mechanism is universally applicable across different needle sizes. This multi-functionality allows a single adapter design to serve multiple purposes and compatible devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is segmented into distinct functional components: a fitting for external device connection, a sealed chamber housing, and a self-healing septum. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The modular structure makes the adapter easy to manufacture and understand, reducing complexity despite universal adaptability.

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

The adapter minimizes exposure to non-sterile environments and reduces blood leaks by providing a secure, sealed connection between medical devices, enhancing safety and efficiency in point-of-care testing and analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a self-healing puncturable septum disposed between the end cap and housing body, creating a seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-healing:

Implementation Method 2

the septum is compressed against the distal end of the housing body and a bottom wall of the end cap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12502514B2Vascular access device adapter

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 BECTON DICKINSON & CO

AI summary

A vascular access device adapter allowing for interchangeable connections between separate components of a larger extravascular system while minimizing exposure to non-sterile environments in point-of-care testing and analysis is provided. The vascular access device adapter includes a body having a self-healing puncturable septum secured by an end cap by which hollow small gauge needles may extract or deposit fluid. The adapter device further includes an end cap enclosing the septum, the end cap having ribs which removably secure the adapter to the inner housing of a sample collection device.