Deflectable Lumen Actuator for Peristaltic Pump Feeding Set
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional enteral feeding sets are prone to leaks during setup and breakdown, and their accuracy in delivering nutritional products is compromised by misalignment or damage to the pump door, which increases manufacturing costs and reduces ease-of-use.
Innovation Solution
A feeding set with a deflectable lumen priming actuator integrated into the cassette, allowing for manual actuation from a rest to a deflected position to establish a fluid channel, reducing reliance on the pump door's alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If valves are incorporated into feeding sets to prevent leaking, then reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the valve function from the pump door assembly and relocates it to the feeding set itself. The inline valve is integrated into the lumen of the feeding set, allowing it to be independently actuated by the lumen actuator without requiring the pump door to be properly aligned or operated. This separation ensures that valve operation is independent of door alignment status.
Solution Approach 2:
The lumen actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the valve. Instead of requiring direct manipulation of the pump door or complex valve assemblies, the user simply actuates the lumen actuator, which transmits the actuation force through the lumen to open or close the inline valve. This intermediary simplifies the user interface while maintaining reliable valve control.
2Reliability
If multiple hands are required to actuate valves, then reliability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lumen actuator is designed to be self-actuating through a simple pressing motion. The actuator utilizes the flexibility of the lumen material and the geometry of the actuator structure to convert a simple user press into effective valve actuation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex multi-hand coordination while maintaining reliable valve control.
3Manufacturing precision
If feeding set components are securely held by door alignment, then manufacturing precision improves, but reliability deteriorates when door is damaged or misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feeding set into independent functional modules: the lumen with its actuator, the inline valve, and the pump door assembly. This segmentation allows the lumen and valve to be actuated independently of the door assembly. Even if the door is damaged or misaligned, the lumen actuator can still function to open or close the valve, maintaining feed rate accuracy without relying on door positioning.
4Reliability
If valves are added to prevent leaking, then reliability improves, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve and lumen actuator into an integrated assembly that can be manufactured as a single unit or pre-assembled component. The inline valve is positioned within the lumen structure, and the actuator is integrated into the lumen assembly, allowing for streamlined manufacturing processes. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing fabrication time and cost while maintaining the leak prevention function.
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 solution enhances the reliability and ease-of-use of the feeding set by minimizing leaks and maintaining accurate feed rate delivery, independent of the pump door's alignment, while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A deflectable lumen priming actuator is formed integrally with the cassette for conjoint connection to and disconnection from the pump system with the cassette as a single unit. The priming actuator includes an actuation pad and is moveable from a rest position to a deflected position.
Implementation Method 2
The actuation pad of the priming actuator is located proximate the inline valve in the rest position and is adapted to contact and apply a force to the lumen adjacent the inline valve when the priming actuator is moved to the deflected position. The force applied to the lumen is sufficient to establish at least one flow channel between the inline valve and the lumen.
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding set for a peristaltic pump system includes a cassette configured for releasable connection thereto. A deflectable lumen priming actuator is formed integrally with the cassette for conjoint connection to and disconnection from the pump system with the cassette as a single unit. The priming actuator includes an actuation pad and is moveable from a rest position to a deflected position. A substantially flexible lumen is coupled to the cassette. The lumen has an inlet, an outlet, and an extensible peristalsis loop. An inline valve is received within the lumen. The inline valve is arranged to obstruct fluid flow through the lumen. The actuation pad of the priming actuator is located proximate the inline valve in the rest position and is adapted to contact and apply a force to the lumen adjacent the inline valve when the priming actuator is moved to the deflected position. The force applied to the lumen is sufficient to establish at least one flow channel between the inline valve and the lumen.