Bubble Trap Diverter and Elongated Tube for IV Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bubble traps for IV drip set-ups and blood transfusion systems are inefficient in preventing gas bubbles from entering the bloodstream, as they can allow bubbles to pass through the outlet nozzle or become air-locked, leading to vascular air embolism and other complications.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus comprises a housing with a chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, a diverter, and an elongated exit tube. The diverter directs fluid away from the intake end of the elongated exit tube, reducing the risk of air intake, and the elongated exit tube is designed to capture gas bubbles within the chamber, ensuring they do not reach the patient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional outlet nozzle is used in bubble traps, then the device structure is simple, but gas bubbles can pass through or become air-locked, allowing them to enter the bloodstream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble separation effectivenessVSAvoidchamber structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bubble trap chamber is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inlet region, a central collection region with the elongated exit tube, and an outlet region. The diverter creates a flow separation zone that directs fluid away from the exit tube intake, effectively segmenting the flow paths to prevent bubbles from reaching the outlet while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diverter acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the incoming fluid flow and the elongated exit tube. It redirects the fluid flow to bypass the exit tube intake, creating a protective barrier that prevents bubbles from entering the bloodstream without requiring complex mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the outlet port is positioned to allow easy fluid exit, then fluid flow is efficient, but gas bubbles can escape through the outlet into the bloodstream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of bubble entry to bloodstreamVSAvoidfluid flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses the two-dimensional conflict between outlet positioning and bubble prevention by introducing a spatial dimension through the elongated exit tube configuration. The intake end is centrally located within the chamber while the export end connects to the outlet port, creating a three-dimensional flow path that separates fluid and gas movement, allowing efficient drainage while blocking bubble escape

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If bubbles are allowed to coalesce into larger bubbles, then separation from liquid is easier, but larger bubbles pose greater risk of vascular air embolism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble separation efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of vascular air embolism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts bubbles from the main fluid stream by providing a dedicated collection region in the central portion of the chamber. Bubbles are drawn into this region and trapped around the elongated exit tube, separating them from the liquid flow path and preventing their entry into the bloodstream while maintaining efficient fluid drainage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design effectively reduces the number and frequency of gas bubbles entering the bloodstream, lowering alarm alerts and improving patient safety by minimizing the risk of vascular air embolism and other complications.

Implementation Method 1

Low external liquid pressure is experienced on the uppermost portion of the bubble membrane while higher external liquid pressure is exerted on the bottommost portion of the bubble membrane. As such, gas bubbles tend to rise in response to this external liquid pressure profile.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

Gas bubbles naturally float upwards

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

a diverter, namely a first diverter, positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow direction control:

Data Source

PatentUS20250170318A1Bubble trap device

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 TESSEN SOLUTIONS LTD

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an apparatus suitable for separating and collecting gas bubbles entrained in a liquid, wherein the apparatus comprises a housing defining at least one chamber, the chamber having an inlet port and an outlet port; a diverter positioned between the inlet port and the outlet port; and, an elongated exit tube with an intake end and an export end; wherein the intake end of the elongated exit tube is centrally located within the chamber and the export end of the elongated exit tube is connected to the outlet port of the chamber.