Bolus Control Device Adjustable Cracking Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical fluid injection systems experience excess contrast delivery due to system capacitance, leading to inaccurate bolus formation and image irregularities, as a result of high injection pressure causing excess fluid to dribble from the catheter tip after the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A bolus control device with a compressible check valve is integrated into the fluid path set, allowing adjustable control of cracking pressure to prevent excess fluid leakage, featuring a valve body with connectors for fluid inlet and outlet lines and an adjustable mechanism to compress the check valve, ensuring precise fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high injection pressure is used to deliver contrast quickly, then injection speed is improved, but system capacitance causes excess fluid expansion and dribbling
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is pre-compressed to a predetermined force before injection, establishing a threshold pressure that must be exceeded for fluid to pass. This preliminary setup prevents excess fluid delivery by blocking the fluid path until the injection pressure overcomes the pre-set compression force, thereby compensating for system capacitance effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression force on the check valve is adjusted to match the expected injection pressure parameters. By tuning the spring constant and pre-compression distance, the valve opens at the precise moment when injection pressure exceeds the threshold, allowing controlled fluid delivery while preventing dribbling caused by pressure-induced system expansion.
2Quantity of substance
If system capacitance is increased to store more fluid, then fluid availability is improved, but excess fluid dribbling occurs after injection
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve acts as an intermediary element between the fluid reservoir and the injection site. It mediates fluid flow by remaining closed during normal operation (blocking excess fluid) and opening only when injection pressure exceeds the pre-compressed threshold, thereby ensuring accurate bolus delivery while allowing the system to accommodate fluid expansion from capacitance.
3Reliability
If a check valve is added to control fluid flow, then fluid management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve utilizes the injection pressure itself to overcome its pre-compressed state and open the fluid path. The spring force and pre-compression are calibrated so that normal injection pressure automatically opens the valve without requiring external control mechanisms, while excess pressure from system capacitance is naturally blocked, achieving self-regulated fluid control.
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 bolus control device effectively prevents excess contrast from dribbling after injection, maintaining accurate bolus delivery and image quality by regulating fluid flow based on adjustable cracking pressure, thus addressing the issue of system capacitance-induced excess fluid.
Implementation Method 1
A compressible check valve may be disposed within the fluid channel and compressible in response to fluid pressure within the fluid channel
Implementation Method 2
The compressible check valve may be adjustable to control a cracking pressure at which the compressible check valve opens to allow fluid flow through the fluid channel
Data Source
AI summary
A bolus control device for use with an injection device, the bolus control device including a valve body having a proximal end opposite a distal end. The valve body defines a fluid channel therethrough to allow a passage of medical fluid from the proximal end to the distal end. A connector is provided at the proximal end and configured for connecting to a fluid inlet line. A connector subassembly is provided at the distal end and configured for connecting to a fluid outlet line. A compressible check valve is disposed within the fluid channel, such that the compressible check valve is adjustable to control a cracking pressure at which the compressible check valve closes.