Balloon Catheter Fluid Purging with Integrated Pressure Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial fluid purging systems for medical applications are inefficient due to the placement of pressure sensors and exhaust valves, leading to increased balloon chamber volume, longer evacuation times, and delayed detection of pressure spikes, which can result in trauma or death from over-pressurization in medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An automated balloon catheter fluid purging system with a spring-energized relief valve and electro-mechanical pressure switch, where the relief valve is mounted directly to the catheter, optimizing balloon chamber volume and enabling early detection of pressure spikes, using a single fluid purging tube to connect the relief valve to the pressure switch and solenoid valve within the system enclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pressure sensor and exhaust valve are mounted within a system enclosure, then the system is simpler to implement, but the balloon chamber volume increases making air evacuation more difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: a disposable catheter assembly containing the pressure sensor and exhaust valve mounted directly on the balloon chamber, and a reusable system enclosure containing only the control electronics. This segmentation allows the pressure components to be positioned optimally on the catheter while keeping the enclosure compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensor and exhaust valve are extracted from the system enclosure and mounted directly on the catheter assembly. This extraction eliminates the need for long fluid connection lines between the enclosure and balloon chamber, thereby minimizing the balloon chamber volume and facilitating efficient air evacuation.
2Volume of moving object
If the pressure sensor and exhaust valve are mounted directly to the catheter, then balloon chamber volume is optimized, but the assembly becomes cumbersome to handle with exposed electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor, exhaust valve, and catheter assembly are merged into a single integrated disposable unit. This integration eliminates exposed electrical wiring and components, as all pressure-related functions are contained within the sealed catheter assembly, making it easier and safer to handle during medical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter assembly with integrated pressure components is designed as a disposable single-use item. This allows for optimized design without concern for reusability, eliminating the need for protective housings or complex electrical shielding, thereby improving handling ease while maintaining volume optimization.
3Reliability
If the pressure sensor detection/switching pressure is set above working pressure, then false alarms are prevented, but the response time to detect gas leakage is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is configured with dynamic pressure thresholds that adapt based on operational phase. During normal operation, the sensor tolerates pressure variations above working pressure without triggering false alarms. However, during purging operations when the chamber should be evacuated, the sensor becomes highly sensitive to any pressure increase, enabling rapid detection of gas leakage within seconds of the purging cycle initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary purging actions to evacuate the balloon chamber before inflation. During this preliminary phase, the pressure sensor is primed to detect even minimal pressure changes, establishing a baseline that enables rapid response to gas leakage before it can cause harmful over-pressurization.
4Ease of manufacture
If a long fluid connection line is used to connect pressure sensor and exhaust valve to the balloon chamber, then the components can be mounted within the system enclosure, but the balloon chamber volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor and exhaust valve are extracted from the system enclosure and mounted directly on the catheter assembly at the balloon chamber. This eliminates the need for long fluid connection lines, thereby minimizing the balloon chamber volume and enabling rapid air evacuation during purging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter assembly serves as an intermediary structure that integrates the pressure sensor and exhaust valve in direct proximity to the balloon chamber. This intermediary positioning eliminates the need for long connection lines while maintaining system functionality, as the catheter itself provides the fluid pathway between the components and the balloon chamber.
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
This setup reduces balloon preparation time, enhances sensitivity to pressure changes, and allows for immediate detection and response to abnormal pressure spikes, preventing over-pressurization and ensuring patient safety by automatically purging pressurized fluid and communicating with a computer control system to stop fluid inflow.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-energized relief valve having an inlet port that is coupled to a fluid chamber to receive incoming fluid
Implementation Method 2
an electro-mechanical pressure switch, and an electrically operated solenoid valve which functions as a pressure exhaust valve
Implementation Method 3
an electrically operated solenoid valve which functions as a pressure exhaust valve. The pressure switch and the solenoid valve are in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid purging system has a spring-energized relief valve having an inlet port that is coupled to a fluid chamber to receive incoming fluid, and an outlet port through which incoming fluid is relieved. The outlet port is fluidly coupled to a pressurized chamber. The fluid purging system also includes an electro-mechanical pressure switch, and an electrically operated solenoid valve which functions as a pressure exhaust valve. The pressure switch and the solenoid valve are in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber.