Contrast Agent Mixer Homogeneity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing per-oral negative contrast agent foam for abdominal CT imaging are inefficient and prone to producing non-homogeneous foams with visible bubbles, which can interfere with the quality of x-ray images.
Innovation Solution
A contrast agent mixer with a substantially homogeneous circular mixer blade and a controller that adjusts the rotational speed of the mixer blade and the vertical distance between the blade and the holding arrangement, ensuring a consistent and homogenous foam production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual blending is used to create foam, then the process is simple and low-cost, but the foam becomes non-homogeneous with visible bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical blending with an automated mixing device equipped with a rotor-stator mechanism. The rotor rotates at controlled speeds (e.g., 3000-6000 rpm) to generate shear forces that create uniform microbubbles, eliminating the non-homogeneous foam produced by manual blending while maintaining ease of use through automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls foam homogeneity by adjusting mixing parameters including rotor speed, mixing time, and the ratio of contrast medium to air. By optimizing these parameters, the system produces consistent microbubble distribution without visible large bubbles, resolving the contradiction between simple preparation and homogeneous foam quality.
2Quantity of substance
If excessive air is incorporated during mixing, then foam volume increases, but bubble size becomes uncontrolled and homogeneity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing device incorporates feedback control mechanisms that monitor foam characteristics during mixing and automatically adjust rotor speed and mixing time. This feedback system prevents excessive air incorporation while maintaining optimal foam volume, ensuring uniform bubble size distribution and homogeneity throughout the foam product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic mixing cycles with alternating high-speed aeration and lower-speed homogenization phases. This periodic action allows controlled air incorporation during high-speed phases while subsequent lower-speed phases redistribute air uniformly, preventing excessive bubble formation and maintaining homogeneity.
3Manufacturing precision
If mixing time is extended to improve homogeneity, then foam quality improves, but preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated rotor-stator mixing device generates intense shear forces that rapidly homogenize the foam in seconds, replacing the need for extended manual mixing. The high-speed rotor (3000-6000 rpm) creates uniform microbubbles quickly, achieving homogeneous foam quality without extending preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses high-energy mixing that rushes through the homogenization process in a short time frame. The intense shear forces from the rotor-stator mechanism quickly distribute air uniformly throughout the contrast medium, achieving foam homogeneity in seconds rather than minutes, thus improving quality without increasing preparation time.
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 mixer effectively produces a homogenous per-oral negative contrast agent foam with controlled air incorporation, improving the quality of CT images by reducing the presence of visible bubbles and enhancing contrast between bowel wall and lumen.
Implementation Method 1
The contrast agent introduced in EP 3589331 is a fluid, aqueous foam of microbubbles. The foam is created from a dispersion obtained by stirring, manually or by magnetic stirrer, a contrast powder with a liquid until a completely homogenous dispersion was obtained.
Implementation Method 2
The foam is created from a dispersion obtained by stirring, manually or by magnetic stirrer, a contrast powder with a liquid until a completely homogenous dispersion was obtained. This dispersion was mixed into a foam by manually using a blender.
Implementation Method 3
A patient routinely referred to CT-abd is usually prepared with a per-oral agent for demarcating the gastro-intestinal tract. The process of producing a contrast agent foam is sensitive. Excess air will cause an increase in overrun and consequently produce a thicker foam, as well as the formation of big bubbles giving a non-homogenous and high polydispersity foam.
Data Source
AI summary
A contrast agent mixer (100) for providing a foam type contrast agent is presented. The mixer (100) comprises a holding arrangement (109) for supporting a mixing container, a substantially homogeneous circular mixer blade (110) for mixing a contrast powder with a liquid in the mixing container (200), and a controller configured to control a rotational speed of the mixer blade (110) and a vertical distance (D) between the holding arrangement (109) and the mixer blade (110). A method, a system and a mixing container are also presented.