Venting Safety Closure for Specimen Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen collection containers lack effective safety features to prevent aerosolization and exposure to healthcare workers during fluid sample transfer from syringes, posing risks of fluid-borne diseases and needle injuries.
Innovation Solution
A closure system with a luer fitting and shielding portion that vents the specimen collection container to atmosphere, forming a fluid-tight seal and shielding the luer fitting to prevent aerosolization, while allowing air venting and secure engagement with syringe assemblies, featuring deflectable ribs, hydrophobic channels, and spring elements for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closure system with shielding portion is used to prevent aerosolization and exposure, then safety and protection of healthcare workers is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into distinct functional components: a base portion that engages with the container, a luer fitting for syringe connection, and a separate shielding portion that can move independently. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system safety without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding portion is designed to be movable, transitioning between an open position during fluid transfer and a closed position for protection. This dynamic element provides safety automation - the shield moves into place to prevent aerosolization and exposure without requiring manual intervention, thus improving reliability while keeping operation simple.
2Productivity
If venting channels are included to allow air escape during fluid transfer, then fluid transfer efficiency is improved, but risk of aerosolization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting channels serve as an intermediary pathway that allows air to escape during fluid transfer without forcing the fluid or aerosols through the shield. The channels are positioned and designed to provide pressure relief while the shielding portion maintains the barrier function, thus enabling efficient transfer without increasing aerosolization risk.
3Ease of operation
If a movable shielding portion is used to allow fluid communication, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of seal may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding portion is designed to automatically transition between open and closed positions based on the operational state. During fluid transfer, the shield moves to allow communication; after transfer, it automatically returns to the closed position to maintain seal integrity. This self-service mechanism ensures both ease of operation and reliable sealing without requiring manual control.
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 closure system significantly reduces exposure risks by minimizing aerosolization and ensuring safe handling of fluid samples, preventing vacuum generation and facilitating easy sample transfer while maintaining container integrity.
Implementation Method 1
having at least one channel for venting an interior of the specimen collection container to atmosphere during introduction of a fluid specimen from the syringe assembly into the specimen collection container
Implementation Method 2
The first end of the closure includes at least one deflectable rib for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal with a portion of the specimen collection container
Implementation Method 3
the channel may include a hydrophobic material therein
Data Source
AI summary
A closure for use with a specimen collection container is disclosed. The closure includes a base portion having a first end adapted for engagement with an open end of the specimen collection container, and a second end adapted for receiving a portion of a syringe assembly therein. The closure also includes a luer fitting connected to the base portion and having at least one channel for venting an interior of the specimen collection container to atmosphere during introduction of a fluid specimen from the syringe assembly into the specimen collection container. The closure further includes a shielding portion connected to the base portion and adapted to transition from an open position in which fluid communication is established between the first end and the second end through the luer fitting, to a closed position in which the luer fitting is fully shielded by the shielding portion.