Contrast Media Diffuser and Float Assembly for Burette Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contrast media delivery systems face challenges in minimizing turbulence and microbubble formation during the delivery of high-viscosity contrast media, which can lead to undesirable effects in medical imaging, and the float and seat assembly in burettes often fails to separate properly, causing flow disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A contrast media delivery system with a flow regulator assembly that includes a diffuser to minimize turbulence and a float and seat assembly with projections to facilitate easy separation, ensuring smooth and controlled flow of contrast media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contrast media is delivered through a burette chamber, then fluid delivery to patient is maintained, but turbulence and microbubble formation occur due to droplet impact on fluid surface
Solution Approach 1:
A float is introduced as an intermediary object between the droplet stream and the contrast media fluid surface. The float intercepts incoming droplets, causing them to follow the float's surface contours rather than impacting the fluid directly. This intermediary mechanism eliminates turbulence and microbubble formation while maintaining continuous fluid delivery through the burette chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The float is positioned in advance within the burette chamber to intercept droplets before they can impact the contrast media fluid surface. By establishing this protective barrier beforehand, the system prevents turbulence and microbubble formation at their source, ensuring smooth fluid flow from the beginning of the delivery process.
2Reliability
If float and seat assembly is used to seal burette outlet, then air entry is prevented, but float separation from seat becomes difficult due to vacuum effect
Solution Approach 1:
The float is segmented with a central aperture that allows fluid communication between the upper and lower chambers. This segmentation enables the float to maintain its sealing function against the seat while allowing fluid pressure equalization, preventing the vacuum effect from creating excessive separation difficulty during refilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid acting through the float's central aperture serves as an intermediary that transmits pressure equalization forces. When the burette is refilled, fluid pressure transmitted through the aperture helps balance the vacuum effect, reducing the force holding the float against the seat and facilitating easier separation when needed.
3Measurement precision
If high viscosity contrast media is used, then imaging quality is improved, but microbubble formation increases and migration is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The float acts as an intermediary that modifies the interaction between incoming droplets and the high viscosity contrast media. By guiding droplets along its surface rather than allowing direct impact, the float prevents the formation of microbubbles that would otherwise be exacerbated by the high viscosity of the contrast media, while still maintaining the imaging quality benefits of using high viscosity contrast material.
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 reduces turbulence and microbubble formation, allowing for efficient and controlled delivery of contrast media while ensuring the float and seat assembly separates correctly, maintaining a continuous flow without the need for manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
A contrast media delivery system with a flow regulator assembly that includes a diffuser to minimize turbulence
Implementation Method 2
a float and seat assembly with projections to facilitate easy separation
Data Source
AI summary
A contrast media delivery system having a flow regulator assembly that allows a practitioner to regulate the passage of contrast media into a burette while minimizing turbulence and the formation of microbubbles in the contrast media. The flow regulator assembly can be actuated by twisting a rotatable cap. When the rotatable cap is released, the flow of contrast media from the inlet to the burette is stopped. A diffuser having a contact surface is provided which disperses contrast media as it passes into the burette to ensure that the contrast media flows smoothly and uniformly down the wall of the burette and into the volume of contrast media. A float and seating assembly which provides optimal sealing of the outlet of the burette while also allowing separation of the float from the seat when the burette is being refilled with contrast media.