Adaptor with Cam Tracks for Sclerosing Microfoam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for generating sclerosing microfoams for treating venous disorders face issues with incomplete or leaky connections between gas and liquid containers, leading to inconsistent foam production and user difficulty in activation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an adaptor with multiple circumferentially extending cam tracks allows for a simple and reliable connection between gas and liquid containers, enabling complete transfer of gas to the liquid without leakage, using a single rotational movement and providing a secure attachment mechanism to prevent slippage and ensure easy usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single cam track is used for connecting gas and liquid containers, then the device structure is simple, but the connection reliability is poor and gas leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single cam track is divided into multiple cam tracks (at least three) that are circumferentially spaced around the adaptor. Each cam track independently guides a cam follower, creating multiple redundant connection paths. This segmentation ensures that if one track fails or experiences slippage, the other tracks maintain the sealed connection, thereby significantly improving connection reliability while distributing the mechanical load across multiple tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor incorporates multiple cam tracks and cam followers that engage beforehand to prevent connection failures. The redundant tracks act as a protective measure against slippage or misalignment that might occur during the twisting motion, cushioning against potential connection failures before they can compromise the seal.
2Ease of operation
If the user twists the containers to activate connection, then the valve can be opened, but the cam follower may move out of the cam track causing incomplete connection
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cam tracks are distributed circumferentially around the adaptor, so that during the twisting activation motion, at least one cam follower remains properly engaged with its track. This segmentation of the connection path ensures that even if user grip adjustments cause some followers to disengage, others maintain the sealed connection throughout the activation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam tracks are designed with specific geometric profiles and are positioned at different circumferential locations to optimize engagement during rotation. Each track is locally optimized to guide its cam follower through the activation motion, ensuring that the connection becomes sealed at the appropriate moment during the twisting action while maintaining reliability throughout the motion range.
3Reliability
If the cam follower moves out of the cam track, then the connection becomes incomplete, but gas leaks to atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into multiple independent cam track-follower pairs arranged circumferentially. This segmentation creates redundant sealing paths, so that if one follower disengages from its track, the other followers maintain their seals and prevent gas leakage. The multiple tracks work in parallel to ensure connection stability and eliminate the harmful effect of gas leakage to atmosphere.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
This invention relates to apparatus and devices that generate sclerosing microfoams for the treatment of venous disorders, such as varicose veins. The invention includes adaptors which provide fluid connections to microfoam generating devices, to enable filling with gas and/or dispensing of the microfoam produced. The adaptors are generally cylindrical elements with open ends to enable attachment to pressurisable container on one end and are configured to enable rapid and easy attachment of a filling means or a dispensing means through the other end of the adaptor. A particular configuration comprises three or more circumferentially and downward extending cam tracks which cooperate with corresponding cams on the filling means or dispensing means and which connect a pressurisable container to a fluid path of a filling or dispensing means when the pressurisable container and filling or dispensing means are rotated relative to each other.