Automated Blood Homogenization Roller System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood homogenization in tubing and storage bags is manually performed, leading to human effort exhaustion and potential injuries for healthcare professionals over time, with existing methods being inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

An automatic device utilizing a roll system with a lower and upper roller mechanism, actuated by a control system and stepper motor, applies compressive forces to elastically deform the tubing, ensuring uniform blood distribution without external pulling forces, and features a lifting system for compact design and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual homogenization using plier is used, then blood can be homogenized in tubing and bag, but healthcare professionals suffer from exhaustion and injuries over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogenization processVSAvoidoperator fatigue and injury
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (plier operated by hand) with an automated mechanical system (roller mechanism driven by motor). The roller applies compressive force to the tubing to homogenize blood, eliminating the need for manual squeezing with plier, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and operator injury by automating the mechanical action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables the homogenization process to perform itself through automated control. The motor-driven roller system automatically compresses and releases the tubing, circulating blood through the system without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby eliminating operator fatigue and injury while maintaining effective homogenization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If automated roller system is used, then homogenization is automated and operator safety improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogenization processVSAvoidroller system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system is divided into distinct functional modules: a motor unit for power generation, a roller mechanism for compression, a tubing guide system for positioning, and a control system for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance while achieving high-level automation of the homogenization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 automatic device effectively homogenizes blood within the tubing and storage bag, reducing human effort and improving the homogenization process, ensuring accurate analysis and minimizing operator fatigue and injury risks.

Implementation Method 1

The tubing is made of a polymeric material, usually vinyl polychloride (PVC), which will be subject to compressive forces between rollers elastically only, thus keeping its mechanical properties.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a roll system which allows the tubing to be compressed as well as the longitudinal movement of the same under the effect of friction force generated between the rollers and the tubing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2954909B1Automatic device intended for homogenization of the blood both in the tubing and storage bag
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 EROFIO ATLANTICO LDA
  • EP2954909B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2954909B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2954909B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This invention relates to a device intended for homogenization of blood both in the tubing and in the storage bag, which is aimed at automatically pushing the blood from the tubing into the storage bag, then allowing the already homogenized blood to be returned to the tubing. The said device is comprised of: a two-roller system, i.e. one upper (2) and one lower (1) roller, which will press the tubing diametrically; a lifting system which allows the vertical movement of the upper roller to be performed, which will press the tubing in order to ensure the leak tightness of the same; a control system which allows the rotational movement of the lower roller (1) and the lifting system to be started automatically; two guides (30) which are designed to guide the tubing along the process; the blood bag support (33); the equipment protective parts such as the front lid (34), the rear lid (35), the outer chafer for covering the device (29) and the chafing piece of the rollers (32).