Bladder Rolling Machine Two-Axis Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inflatable members, such as balloons, suffer wear and tear when repeatedly rolled, leading to tissue injuries and degradation due to friction and other factors, necessitating a more efficient rolling mechanism for medical and non-medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A bladder rolling machine with a support structure, a rotatable rolling pin, a bladder-mounting pin, and an optional rolling initiator with concavely curved teeth, allowing for two-axis rolling that facilitates easy unrolling in small spaces and maintains a controlled temperature, enabling efficient and controlled rolling of bladders into specific configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-axis rolling is used, then the rolling process is simple, but the bladder suffers wear and tear from repeated friction causing tissue injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-axis rolling to two-axis rolling, adding a dimensional change to the rolling mechanism. The bladder is first rolled around a first axis to create a first rolled configuration, then around a second axis perpendicular to the first to create a second rolled configuration. This multi-dimensional approach distributes friction forces across different planes, reducing cumulative wear and tissue damage on the bladder.
2Productivity
If repeated strenuous motion is applied to roll the bladder, then the rolling is effective, but sensitive soft tissues suffer wear and tear injuries
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing two-axis rolling instead of repeated single-axis motion, the system achieves effective rolling through dimensional diversification. The bladder undergoes rolling around a first axis, then around a second axis, creating compact configurations without requiring repeated strenuous motion along the same path. This reduces cumulative friction and tissue injury while maintaining rolling effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the bladder is rolled in tight spaces, then the application is feasible, but the unrolling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The two-axis rolling creates a compact second rolled configuration that is particularly suited for navigation through tight spaces such as blood vessels. The perpendicular rolling axes produce a configuration that can be easily manipulated and unrolled in confined anatomical environments, improving ease of operation during delivery while maintaining a compact form factor.
4Manufacturing precision
If the rolling pin and bladder-mounting pin are coaxial, then the structure is simple, but the rolling control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the rolling pin and bladder-mounting pin, with their axes perpendicular to each other rather than coaxial or parallel. This asymmetric arrangement enables independent control of rolling around each axis, providing precise manufacturing control over the bladder's rolled configuration. The perpendicular orientation allows the system to achieve complex rolling patterns that would be impossible with symmetric coaxial arrangements.
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 machine effectively rolls bladders in various configurations, reducing tissue damage and facilitating easy unrolling in tight spaces, while maintaining a controlled temperature for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of the rolling pin (a) advances, by friction, a portion of the bladder (which is currently unrolled) between the rolling pin and the bladder-mounting pin
Implementation Method 2
rotation of the rolling pin (b) rolls the portion of the bladder around the bladder-mounting pin
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for rolling a bladder includes a support structure, a rolling pin, and a bladder-mounting pin. The apparatus optionally includes a rolling initiator Rolling a bladder includes inserting the bladder while unrolled into an apparatus for rolling a bladder, inserting the bladder between a rolling pin and a bladder-mounting pin of the rolling machine, and rotating the rolling pin to (a) advance a portion of the bladder between the rolling pin and the bladder-mounting pin, (b) roll the portion of the bladder around the bladder-mounting pin, and (c) drive the bladder-mounting pin to rotate in an opposite direction from that of the rolling pin.