Conduit Clamping Mechanism for Closed-Tube Fluid Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures for removing and managing fluid accumulations below the skin, such as after surgery, are cumbersome, often require multiple personnel, and pose risks of incomplete drainage and infection due to the complexity of existing conduit clamping devices and handling of open vessels.

Innovation Solution

A conduit clamping device with a closing mechanism featuring a movable arm or disk connected to a knob, allowing for easy control of fluid or air passage in a flexible conduit, which can be integrated into medical apparatus for single-person operation, reducing the risk of backflow and infection by maintaining a closed system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional conduit clamping devices are used, then fluid passage can be controlled, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit clamping device is divided into distinct functional segments: a closure member that directly occludes the conduit, a control mechanism that actuates the closure member, and a actuation mechanism that transmits force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential function of conduit closure from complex multi-component systems and implements it through a simplified mechanism. The closure member is designed to perform the primary occlusion function with minimal additional components, removing unnecessary complexity from the overall device while preserving the ability to control fluid passage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If multiple personnel are used for fluid removal, then complete drainage is achieved, but productivity decreases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit clamping device is designed to be self-operating once activated. The control mechanism and actuation mechanism work automatically to occlude the conduit without requiring continuous manual intervention or coordination between multiple personnel. This self-service capability enables a single operator to achieve complete drainage efficiently, significantly improving productivity and reducing time consumption compared to conventional methods requiring multiple persons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If open vessels are used for fluid collection, then fluid can be collected, but the risk of infection and backflow increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverisk of infectionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a closed collection system that acts as an intermediary between the conduit and the external environment. This closed system maintains fluid containment throughout the collection process, eliminating the need for open vessels and the associated infection risks. The system allows complete drainage to be achieved by a single operator through controlled actuation, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving reliability by preventing contamination and backflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device enables efficient, single-person operation for fluid or air removal and infusion, minimizing the risk of infection and incomplete drainage, while being cost-effective and easy to use, with a low operational force requirement and minimal dead volume for precise medication delivery.

Implementation Method 1

a movable arm or disk, that is connected to a knob; a conduit in form of a tube, that is laid flat against an abutment or protrusion... movement of the arm or disk will control the compression of the tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3170522B1Apparatus including a conduit clamping device
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 DENTSPLY IH AB
  • EP3170522B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3170522B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3170522B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An apparatus comprising a conduit clamping device with a closing mechanism for closing and opening passage of fluid or air in a flexible conduit is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a movable arm or disk (1) that is connected to a manipulation arm or a knob (2); a conduit in form of a tube (4), that is laid flat against an abutment or protrusion (7); and a guide structure that constrains the movable arm or disk between the guide structure and the tube and being designed such that movement of the arm or disk (1) will control the compression of the tube.