Drip Chamber Adjusting Device for Infusion Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drip chamber arrangements in medical infusion systems lack improved adjustability of the volume flow, which is often dependent on the properties of the infusion tube and can be unintentionally or intentionally adjusted by patients, posing safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A drip chamber arrangement with an integrated adjusting device that is securely attached to the drip chamber housing, allowing for direct adjustment of the volume flow independently of the infusion tube, featuring a rotatable design with a throttle groove and sealing element to change the fluid line channel's geometry and prevent patient access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the roller clamp is provided as a separate component clamped to the infusion tube, then the volume flow can be adjusted, but the adjustment can be unintentionally or intentionally changed by the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting device is integrated directly into the drip chamber housing, merging the flow control function with the chamber structure. This eliminates the separate roller clamp on the infusion tube and places the adjustment mechanism within the drip chamber itself, making it inaccessible to the patient while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting device acts as an intermediary between the passage and the infusion tube, providing controlled adjustment of the fluid line channel geometry. This intermediary mechanism allows precise flow control while being secured within the drip chamber housing, preventing direct patient access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the adjusting device is mounted on the drip chamber housing, then the volume flow adjustment becomes independent of infusion tube properties, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting device is merged with the drip chamber housing to form an integrated assembly. This combination allows the flow adjustment to be independent of infusion tube properties while utilizing the existing chamber structure, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting device serves multiple functions: it adjusts the volume flow, changes the fluid line channel geometry, and is secured within the drip chamber housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, balancing adaptability with device complexity.
3Productivity
If the fluid line channel geometry is changed to adjust volume flow, then the drip rate can be precisely controlled, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting device enables dynamic change of the fluid line channel geometry through rotation. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows precise control of the drip rate by varying the effective cross-section and length of the channel, while the manufacturing precision is concentrated in the adjustable components rather than the entire system.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drip chamber arrangement having a drip chamber housing with a passage for discharging infusion liquid out from said drip chamber housing is known. The invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting a volumetric flow of the infusion liquid through the passage, and which can be positioned relative to the pressure chamber housing and is secured thereto so as to be fixed in the axial and/or radial direction. The invention also relates to use in a medical infusion system.