Medical Design Briefs: 2021 Technology Leaders - 94

TECHNOLOGY LEADERS Gas/Fluid Handling/Pumps
Integrated Rupture Disk Assemblies for
Medical OEM Equipment
M
edical devices and equipment
depend on highly reliable
integrated, applicationspecific,
rupture disk solutions
for critical life safety, diagnostic,
and analytical applications. Rupture
disks serve as an effective passive safety
mechanism to protect against overpressure,
such as in compressed specialty
gases in laboratory and analytical
instrumentation, magnetic resonance
imaging, laser surgery, cryogenic, and
other applications.
The disk, which is a one-time-use
membrane made of various metals
including exotic alloys, is designed to
activate within milliseconds when a predetermined
differential pressure is
achieved. Such disks also protect against
overpressure conditions in the sanitary
chamber of autoclaves, which rely on
pressurized heat or steam to sterilize
medical instruments and research labware.
Often, medical devices must be
very compact and low profile, and integral
assemblies can help to provide such
capability with streamlined design.
Medical equipment reliability is essential,
and this demands high integrity
from the pressure relief technology used
to protect low- and high-pressure OEM
systems. As a result, medical OEMs are
increasingly turning to integrated rupture
disk assemblies with all components
combined by the manufacturer, as
opposed to loose rupture disk and holder
devices that leave much to chance.
These assemblies are being tailored to
the application and miniaturized, and
they utilize a wide range of standard and
exotic materials, as required. This
approach ensures the rupture disk
device performs as expected, enhancing
equipment safety, reliability, and
longevity while simplifying installation
and replacement.
Separate Components Versus Integrated
Assemblies
Traditionally, medical device rupture
disks began as standalone components
that were combined with the manufac94
Several
connection types can be used to attach the rupture disk assembly to the medical application. (Credit:
BS&B Safety Systems)
turer's separate holder device at the
point of use. The installation actions of
the user contribute significantly to the
function of the rupture disk device.
When installed improperly, the rupture
disk may not burst at the expected set
pressure. There is a delicate balance
between the rupture disk membrane, its
supporting holder, and the flanged,
threaded, or other fastening arrangement
used to locate the safety device on
the protected equipment.
For this reason, for medical applications,
an integrated rupture disk assembly
is often a better choice than separable
parts. Available ready-to-use and with no
assembly required, integrated units are
certified as a device to perform at the
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desired set pressure. The one-piece design
allows for easier installation and quick
removal if the rupture disk is activated.
The assembly includes the rupture
disk and housing and is custom engineered
to work with the user's desired
interface to the pressurized equipment.
The devices are typically threaded or
flanged, or even configured for industry
specific connections such as CF/KF/
biotech/VCR couplings. The rupture
disk and holder are combined by the
manufacturer by welding, bolting, tube
stub, adhesive bonding, or crimping
based on the application conditions and
leak tightness requirements.
There are additional advantages to
this approach. Integrated assemblies
Medical Design Briefs 2021 Technology Leaders

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Medical Design Briefs: 2021 Technology Leaders

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