Burette Float with Convex Surfaces for Turbulence Minimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing contrast media delivery systems face challenges with turbulence and microbubble formation in burettes, particularly when using high viscosity contrast media, which can lead to undesirable microbubbles being delivered to patients, and the air-tight seal between the float and seat assembly prevents the float from separating, hindering fluid flow resumption.

Innovation Solution

A turbulence minimization apparatus featuring a float with upper and lower convex surfaces and a seat assembly with fluid passageways, such as projections, allows contrast media to flow beneath the float, enabling it to separate from the seat when sufficient contrast media is present, thus overcoming vacuum effects and minimizing turbulence and microbubble formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the float creates an air-tight seal with the seat assembly to prevent air entry, then air prevention is improved, but the float cannot separate from the seat when contrast media is present, hindering fluid flow resumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair preventionVSAvoidfluid flow resumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The float is divided into multiple sections with different densities, creating zones of varying buoyancy. This segmentation allows the float to maintain an air-tight seal at the bottom section when preventing air entry, while the upper buoyant sections enable the float to lift away from the seat when contrast media is present, restoring fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the float have different physical properties - the lower portion is designed to be denser for maintaining seal integrity, while the upper portion has higher buoyancy for enabling separation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between maintaining seal reliability and enabling operational fluid flow resumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If droplets fall directly onto the contrast media surface, then filling is simpler, but turbulence and microbubble formation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling simplicityVSAvoidmicrobubble formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The float acts as an intermediary surface between the falling droplets and the contrast media. Instead of droplets contacting the contrast media directly, they first impact the float's upper surface, which then allows controlled flow into the contrast media volume, minimizing turbulence and microbubble formation while maintaining simple filling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If high viscosity contrast media is used for imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but microbubble formation and migration inhibition increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidmicrobubble formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The float serves as a mediator that intercepts falling droplets before they contact the high viscosity contrast media. This prevents the high viscosity from exacerbating microbubble formation, while still allowing the contrast media's imaging benefits to be realized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The float's curved upper surface is designed to distribute the impact of falling droplets across a broader area and facilitate smoother flow transitions into the contrast media, reducing turbulence-induced microbubble formation even with high viscosity materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 apparatus effectively reduces turbulence and microbubble formation, ensuring smooth fluid delivery by allowing the float to separate from the seat assembly when contrast media levels are sufficient, thereby resuming flow without introducing air into the delivery line.

Implementation Method 1

float 12 includes buoyant qualities that permit float 12 to be suspended in contrast media 19

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

the buoyancy of the float overcomes any potential vacuum effect between the drainage bore and the float

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy force overcoming vacuum pressure: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS7731699B2Burette float and drainage aperture

Publication Date: 2010.06.08 MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a turbulence minimization apparatus comprising a float and seat assembly adapted to control turbulence and formation of microbubbles in a quantity of contrast media in the burette of a contrast media delivery system. The float includes an upper convex surface providing an impact surface for droplets of contrast media which fall from the inlet of the burette, a lower convex surface for sealing a drainage bore when the volume of contrast media has been substantially drained from the burette, and a predetermined amount of buoyancy. The seat assembly includes a plurality of fluid passageways that allow contrast media to contact the lower convex surface of the float allowing the buoyancy of the float to separate the float from the drainage bore when there is more than a predetermined amount of fluid in the drip chamber.