Blood Collection Device Intermediate Clamping Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated blood collection apparatuses face challenges in precisely determining the target blood volume, leading to increased risks of clot formation due to the need to stop agitation near the end of sampling.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a bearing element, clamping element, and control unit that determines the blood volume and displaces the clamping element from an open position to an intermediate or obturation position to partially clamp the flexible tube, reducing blood flow rate and allowing for more precise collection without stopping agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the agitation of the plate is stopped 25 to 30 ml before reaching the target volume to improve weighing precision, then the measurement precision is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of clot formation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device introduces a new dynamic control mechanism that allows the system to transition between different operational states (open, intermediate, obturation) based on real-time volume measurements. This dynamic control enables continuous agitation while approaching target volume, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and clot prevention by allowing agitation to continue during the critical final phase of collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate clamping position acts as an intermediary state between fully open and fully obturated positions. This intermediate state allows partial restriction of blood flow to enhance measurement precision in the final stages while maintaining enough flow to prevent clot formation, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of precision and reliability.
2Device complexity
If the clamping device uses only open and obturation positions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because the target volume cannot be reached with sufficient accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is segmented into distinct positional states (open, intermediate, obturation) that can be controlled independently. This segmentation allows the system to use a simple mechanical structure with added control intelligence, achieving high precision volume collection without complex mechanical components by dividing the clamping action into manageable stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the clamping parameter (degree of tube restriction) dynamically during the collection process. By adjusting the clamping element from fully open to intermediate to obturation positions based on real-time volume feedback, the system achieves precise target volume collection while maintaining simple mechanical hardware through software-controlled parameter variation.
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive apparatus is a device for collecting a target volume of blood in a collecting bag connected to a collection needle with a flexible tube. The device has a plate for the collecting bag and a clamping device for clamping the flexible tube. The device also has a bearing element having a bearing surface, and a clamping element with a clamping surface. The clamping element is able to move between an open position in which the flexible tube positioned between the bearing and clamping surfaces is not deformed and a closed position in which the flexible tube positioned between the bearing and clamping surfaces is closed off. The device also has a control unit configured to determine the volume of blood collected and move the clamping element from the open position to an intermediate position, when the determined volume of blood collected reaches a predetermined volume.