Dissolvable Tip Tube Assembly for Unobstructed Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Temporary tubes placed in patients often face complications due to tips designed for insertion, which can obstruct fluid flow after placement, leading to clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
A tube assembly with a dissolvable tip made from materials suitable for human consumption, such as polymers, that maintains a smooth outer diameter matching the tube, featuring vents and a conical or bullet-shaped design to facilitate insertion and subsequent dissolution, ensuring unobstructed fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tip with arcuate shape is designed to facilitate insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but material flow becomes obstructed leading to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is made from a dissolvable material that is extracted from the system over time. The tip is initially present to facilitate insertion but then dissolves and is removed from the tube assembly, eliminating the obstruction to material flow while maintaining the insertion benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The tip performs its insertion-facilitating function in advance before being removed. The arcuate shape is provided during insertion, then the tip dissolves to clear the pathway, allowing the tube to function properly for material delivery without the tip interfering
2Ease of operation
If a tip is attached to the distal end of the tube, then insertion is facilitated, but the tip interferes with fluid flow after placement
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful tip is extracted from the system through dissolution. The tip material dissolves in the aqueous environment of the body, removing the source of fluid flow interference while having already served its insertion purpose
Solution Approach 2:
The physical-chemical parameter of the tip material changes from solid to dissolved state. This parameter change transforms the tip from a solid obstruction interfering with fluid flow to dissolved molecules that no longer block the pathway
3Reliability
If a dissolvable tip is used, then clogging is prevented, but the tip material must be suitable for human consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter is changed to be biocompatible and dissolvable. Materials such as gelatin, collagen, or other biodegradable polymers are selected that meet both the dissolvability requirement for clogging prevention and the biocompatibility requirement for safety
Solution Approach 2:
The tip may be made from composite or blended materials that combine dissolvable properties with structural integrity during insertion. The material composition is engineered to dissolve at a controlled rate while maintaining the necessary mechanical properties for facilitating insertion
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 dissolvable tip allows for easy insertion while minimizing patient discomfort and preventing clogging by dissolving after placement, ensuring unobstructed fluid flow and reducing complications.
Implementation Method 1
a dissolvable tip made from materials suitable for human consumption, such as polymers, that maintains a smooth outer diameter matching the tube, featuring vents and a conical or bullet-shaped design to facilitate insertion and subsequent dissolution
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A tube assembly for placement within a patient includes a tube having a lumen, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion attached to a dissolvable tip. The dissolvable tip may have an axial passageway and at least one non-axial vent. Once the assembly is positioned within the patient, the tip is dissolved by gastrointestinal fluids thereby providing an unobstructed distal tube end for material to flow through.