Blocking Device for Blood Treatment Tube Clamp

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blood treatment machines experience tubing deformation due to prolonged clamping by electromagnetically driven hose clamps during overnight de-energization, leading to irreversible deformation and operational turbulence.

Innovation Solution

A blocking device is introduced into the hose clamp, maintaining it in an open position without clamping the hose, thereby preventing deformation. This device is designed to be easily removable before starting a blood treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hose clamp is designed to close in the de-energized state for safety, then patient safety is improved, but the tubing undergoes permanent compression and irreversible deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidtubing deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking device is introduced as an intermediary element between the hose clamp and the tubing. This blocking device prevents the clamp from directly contacting and deforming the tubing while still allowing the clamp to close in the de-energized state for safety. The blocking device acts as a mediator that decouples the safety function from the deformation effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into three distinct components: the hose clamp, the blocking device, and the tubing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the clamp provides safety by closing when de-energized, the blocking device prevents deformation by physically blocking the clamp's contact with tubing, and the tubing maintains its shape for proper fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If the blocking device is inserted to prevent tubing deformation, then tubing shape is preserved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetubing shape preservationVSAvoidclamp system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking device is designed as a simple, inexpensive, disposable component that can be easily inserted and removed. This approach minimizes the complexity burden - instead of designing a complex reusable mechanism, a simple disposable element is used that can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, or maintenance systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the hose clamp applies sufficient clamping force to prevent hose slippage, then connection reliability is improved, but the hose is deformed by up to 20% of its outer diameter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidhose deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking device serves as an intermediary that allows the hose clamp to apply full clamping force without directly transmitting that force to the hose. The clamp closes with sufficient force to prevent slippage, but the blocking device absorbs the mechanical interaction, preventing the hose from experiencing deformation while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3956009B1Blocking device for a tube clamp of a blood treatment device
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3956009B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3956009B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3956009B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a blocking device for a tube clamp for a blood treatment machine, a blood treatment device comprising said type of blocking device and to a method in which said type of blocking device can be used.