High Flow, Needleless Connector for Diverse Industries
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
Applying the core technology of the high flow, needleless connector to various industries, including agricultural irrigation, industrial cleaning, laboratory sampling, aerospace fluid management, and oil and gas exploration, to provide safe and secure connections for fluid flow.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a high flow, needleless connector for use in intravenous and blood administration therapies. However, the need for safe and secure connections for fluid flow exists in various industries beyond healthcare. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by adapting the core technology to meet the specific requirements of diverse industries.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The inventive concept involves modifying the original needleless connector design to accommodate the unique demands of various industries. For example, in agricultural irrigation, the connector is adapted for connection to an irrigation pipe, ensuring a secure and reliable connection for water flow. Similarly, in industrial cleaning, the connector is designed to connect a cleaning solution supply line to a cleaning device, providing a safe and secure connection for cleaning solution flow. The inventive concept encompasses a range of applications, each tailored to the specific requirements of the industry.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases for the high flow, needleless connector, expanding its scope beyond healthcare. The inventive step lies in adapting the core technology to address the distinct challenges and requirements of diverse industries, thereby providing a safe and secure connection for fluid flow in various contexts.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in material selection, valve design, or mating structure configuration to suit specific industry needs. Additionally, the connector could be integrated with sensors, monitoring systems, or automation technologies to enhance its functionality and value in different applications.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The inventive concept has significant commercial potential across various industries, including agricultural irrigation, industrial cleaning, laboratory sampling, aerospace fluid management, and oil and gas exploration. The market for safe and secure connections for fluid flow is substantial, and the adapted high flow, needleless connector is poised to capture a significant share of this market.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61M39/146 |
| A | A61 | A61M39/26 |
| A | A61 | A61M2039/1083 |
| A | A61 | A61M2039/1088 |
| A | A61 | A61M2039/267 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical device engineering, specifically fluid connection systems and needleless connectors with a focus on fluid transfer technologies across medical, industrial, and scientific applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled practitioner with expertise in fluid connection technologies, mechanical engineering, and device design, possessing knowledge of modular connector systems, fluid transfer principles, and cross-industry adaptability of medical device technologies
Obviousness Rationale
A person of ordinary skill would recognize that the fundamental fluid connection principles embodied in the source patent's needleless connector design are readily adaptable to multiple industrial contexts. The core technical features of secure mating structures, fluid flow management, and valve mechanisms are universally applicable across different fluid transfer scenarios. The PTD demonstrates predictable variations that extend the original medical device concept to alternative technical domains using standard engineering design adaptation techniques.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,752 |
|---|---|
| Title | High flow, needleless connector |
| Assignee(s) | RyMed Technologies, LLC |