Diversion Valve Sample Collection for Continuous Catheter Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collecting uncontaminated fresh fluid samples from catheterized patients without human intervention and without interrupting the patient's ability to void fluid is challenging, as existing methods often require clinician presence and may involve waiting for a full bladder.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sample collection system comprising a diversion valve, spring, and collection canister that transitions between collection and passage states based on fluid weight, allowing gravity-driven fluid diversion to a collection canister or secondary line without human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a clinician manually collects fluid samples through a sample port, then the sample can be obtained, but the patient's ability to void fluid is interrupted and clinician presence is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by using the weight of the collected fluid itself to automatically trigger the diversion valve transition. When the collection canister fills with fluid, the increasing weight automatically actuates the spring mechanism, which switches the valve from collection state to passage state, eliminating the need for external monitoring or manual intervention while maintaining continuous patient voiding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the diversion valve and spring mechanism to automatically respond to fluid weight accumulation. The valve is positioned and biased in advance to detect when sufficient fluid has been collected, and the spring is pre-loaded to immediately actuate the state transition when the weight threshold is reached, ensuring seamless autonomous operation
2Quantity of substance
If the clinician waits for a full bladder to collect a sample, then an adequate sample volume can be obtained, but time is lost and patient comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the manual mechanical assessment of bladder fullness with an automated weight-based detection mechanism. The spring-loaded diversion valve continuously monitors the weight of fluid in the collection canister and automatically transitions states when the predetermined volume is reached, eliminating the time delay associated with waiting for clinical assessment while ensuring adequate sample volume is collected
3Extent of automation
If a diversion valve system is added to enable autonomous collection, then automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complex control logic from the valve mechanism itself and replaces it with a simple passive weight-based actuation system. Instead of using electronically controlled valves with sensors and power sources, the invention uses a mechanically simple spring-loaded diversion valve that responds purely to the weight of collected fluid, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining autonomous functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles through the weight of the collected fluid acting on the spring mechanism. The gravitational force of the fluid in the collection canister directly actuates the diversion valve through mechanical leverage, eliminating the need for external power sources, sensors, or complex control systems while achieving reliable autonomous state transitions
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
Enables autonomous collection of uncontaminated fluid samples without interrupting the patient's voiding process, reducing the need for clinician presence and ensuring continuous fluid acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is coupled to the diversion valve, and configured to transition the diversion valve between a collection state and a passage state
Implementation Method 2
the spring being compressed relative to the passage state and the collection channel in line between the first fluid line and the second fluid line
Implementation Method 3
The collection canister is configured to receive the volume of fluid by gravity flow
Implementation Method 4
the vent includes a hydrophobic vent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a fluid sample collection system including a diversion valve, a spring and a collection canister. The diversion valve includes a diversion valve housing, the diversion valve is configured to receive a volume of fluid from a first fluid line and direct the volume of fluid to either a collection canister below the diversion valve using a collection channel or to a second fluid line using a passage channel. The collection channel is located below the passage channel. The spring is coupled to the diversion valve, and configured to transition the diversion valve between a collection state and a passage state. The collection canister includes a collection canister opening. The collection canister is configured to receive the volume of fluid by gravity flow and is coupled to the diversion valve by a fluid channel.