Cassette Valve Stem and Guide Wall for Kink-Resistant Tubing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Peristaltic pumps used for administering medicine or nutrition to patients face challenges in preventing outlet tube kinking, which can inhibit fluid flow and be harmful if uncontrolled.
Innovation Solution
A cassette with a fitting assembly that includes a valve mechanism with a rotatable stem and a curved guide wall to prevent kinking of the outlet tubing, ensuring secure attachment and controlled fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outlet tubing is made flexible to allow patient movement, then comfort and mobility are improved, but the tubing is more prone to kinking which can inhibit fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall acts as an intermediary structure between the outlet port and the external environment. It provides a predetermined curved path that the flexible outlet tubing must follow, preventing the tubing from kinking while still allowing patient movement. The guide wall mediates between the need for flexibility and the need to prevent kinking.
2Reliability
If a rigid structure is used to prevent tubing kinking, then fluid flow reliability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of patient movement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall is formed as a thin, flexible structural element within the cassette body rather than a rigid external framework. This thin film structure provides the necessary guidance to prevent kinking while maintaining overall device simplicity and not interfering with patient mobility.
3Ease of operation
If the outlet port is positioned closer to the top of the cassette for easier access, then ease of operation is improved, but the tubing becomes more susceptible to kinking
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall creates a curved, arcuate path for the outlet tubing extending downward from the outlet port. This curved geometry allows the tubing to naturally follow a smooth path that prevents sharp bends and kinks, while the outlet port itself can remain positioned for easy access at the top of the cassette.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump set for use with a pumping apparatus includes tubing for carrying a liquid. A valve mechanism is mounted to the tubing between an inlet section and a pump engagement section. The valve mechanism includes a first port connected to the inlet section of the tubing, a second port connected to the pump engagement section of the tubing, and a valve disposed between the first and second ports. The valve includes a stem rotatably mounted within a stem holder. The stem includes a flow passage extending through the stem and having an open V shape whereby a narrow open end of the flow passage communicates with the first port and a wide open end of the flow passage communicates with the second port to place the inlet section of the tubing in communication with the pump engagement section of the tubing.