Closed Venting IV Set with Hydrophobic Membrane for Vapor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IV administration systems for hazardous drugs pose risks due to exposure to hazardous vapors and drugs during priming, as standard methods do not adequately prevent the infusion of air and vapor, leading to potential health issues for clinicians and patients.
Innovation Solution
A closed venting system is introduced, featuring a coupling assembly, drip chamber with a membrane to prevent air passage, and a self-sealing priming port for safe priming and flushing, which includes a vent membrane at the patient conduit's terminal end to automatically vent hazardous vapors into the fluid reservoir, minimizing exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard priming procedures are used to purge air from the patient conduit, then air is effectively removed, but hazardous vapors are displaced and exposed to clinicians
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic vent membrane is introduced as an intermediary component at the terminal end of the patient conduit. This membrane allows air vapor to pass through while blocking hazardous liquid drug, serving as a mediator that separates the harmful liquid phase from the breathable vapor phase during priming operations
Solution Approach 2:
The vent membrane functions as a thin film barrier that selectively permits passage of air vapors while preventing passage of hazardous liquid chemotherapy agents. The membrane's hydrophobic properties enable it to act as a flexible barrier that maintains system pressure while allowing controlled venting
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system remains closed during priming to prevent vapor escape, then vapor exposure is minimized, but air cannot be effectively vented from the patient conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The vent membrane utilizes porous material structure with specific pore sizes that allow air molecules to pass through while blocking larger chemotherapy drug molecules. The porous configuration enables selective permeability based on molecular size differences between air and hazardous liquid
Solution Approach 2:
The vent membrane creates an inert barrier that prevents hazardous liquid from escaping into the environment while still allowing air to pass. This inert barrier approach contains the harmful substance without compromising the air venting function
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a membrane is added to prevent air passage, then vapor containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent membrane is integrated as a disposable component within the patient conduit assembly. This approach allows use of specialized membrane materials without increasing reusable system complexity, as the membrane is discarded with the single-use conduit after one patient application
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 system effectively prevents exposure to hazardous vapors and drugs during priming and infusion by ensuring air is vented safely, reducing the risk of adverse reactions and allowing for efficient purging of air and hazardous substances, thereby enhancing safety for both clinicians and patients.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane interposedly positioned between the secondary fluid reservoir and the output of the drip chamber, wherein the membrane prevents passage of air from the drip chamber to the output of the drip chamber
Implementation Method 2
the priming port having a split septum which forms an airtight seal thereby maintaining pressure within the drip chamber and the remainder of the IV delivery system
Implementation Method 3
a vent membrane at the patient conduit's terminal end to automatically vent hazardous vapors into the fluid reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A device for priming and venting a hazardous drug within an intravenous administration set (10). The device includes various access ports (42, 26, 86) and fluid channels (50, 150) to permit direct injection of a hazardous drug into the fluid reservoir (24), while eliminating the possibility of undesirable exposure to the hazardous drug. The device further includes priming and flushing ports to enable flushing of a hazardous drug from the system following an infusion procedure.