Burette Float Valve Residual Liquid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical burettes used for intravenous liquid administration are complex and expensive to manufacture, and when dispensing medication, residual liquid in the burette causes dilution and incomplete delivery due to the inability to fully evacuate the chamber.
Innovation Solution
A vertically oriented burette design featuring a float valve with recesses and resilient closure members that inhibit flow and close the outlet when the liquid level falls below a predetermined level, ensuring complete delivery of medication by preventing residual liquid from being retained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional burette design is used to control liquid flow, then the structure is complex and expensive to manufacture, but the flow control function is achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The burette is divided into distinct functional segments: a chamber for receiving liquid, an outlet for dispensing, and a float valve mechanism with separate closure members. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve mechanism operates automatically based on liquid level without requiring external control systems. The float rises and falls with liquid level changes, automatically activating closure members to control flow into and out of the chamber. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for complex electronic controls or manual operation, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If the outlet is closed to terminate liquid delivery, then the medication delivery is controlled, but residual liquid remains in the burette causing dilution and incomplete delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve mechanism is pre-positioned and pre-configured to activate closure members at specific liquid levels. Before the liquid is completely depleted, the float rises to trigger the closure members, ensuring the outlet closes proactively. This preliminary action prevents residual liquid from remaining in the chamber, eliminating dilution issues and ensuring complete medication delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve provides continuous feedback on the liquid level within the chamber. As the liquid level changes, the float moves accordingly, providing real-time information that triggers the closure members to open or close. This feedback mechanism ensures the outlet closes at the optimal moment, preventing both over-delivery and residual liquid retention, thereby maintaining medication delivery accuracy.
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 burette design ensures precise control over liquid flow, preventing dilution and ensuring complete delivery of medication by effectively closing the outlet when the liquid level drops, thus addressing the issues of residual liquid retention and incomplete medication delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a float valve located between the inlet passage and outlet and movable therebetween in response to changing liquid levels in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
said first closure member and said second closure member are resilient pads
Data Source
AI summary
A burette (10) to receive liquid from an intravenous supply (29) to deliver liquid to a patient via a tube (30). The burette (10) includes a hollow body (11) that is generally cylindrical configuration and that contains a float valve (24). Liquid level in the chamber (12) of the body (11) regulates liquid level within the chamber (12) by engaging an inlet passage (36) or an outlet tube (25).