Drip Chamber Insert With Overflow Opening For Infusion Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing medical infusion and transfusion devices require laborious and error-prone manual processes for preparation, which increases the risk of air embolisms and uncontrolled leakage of infusion solutions during use.
Innovation Solution
A drip chamber insert with a hollow body, featuring discharge openings and strategically positioned overflow openings that allow lateral drainage, simplifies the infusion preparation by eliminating the need for manual manipulation of the roller clamp and ensures consistent filling levels, reducing the risk of incorrect handling and air embolisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual preparation process with roller clamp is used, then the infusion device can be assembled, but the preparation is laborious and error-prone increasing risk of air embolisms and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The drip chamber insert automatically regulates fluid flow and air venting without manual intervention. The overflow opening self-regulates the liquid level by allowing excess fluid to drain, eliminating the need for manual roller clamp operation and reducing preparation errors
Solution Approach 2:
The drip chamber insert is pre-configured with overflow openings at specific heights to automatically control liquid levels before infusion begins. This preliminary design ensures proper fluid management is already in place, preventing air embolisms and leakage without requiring manual preparation steps
2Productivity
If discharge openings are provided in the drip chamber bottom, then fluid can drain, but uncontrolled leakage may occur when roller clamp is open
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow opening creates a feedback mechanism where liquid level is continuously monitored. When the level reaches the overflow opening height, excess fluid automatically drains, maintaining a consistent liquid level that prevents both inadequate drainage and uncontrolled leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the liquid level parameter by using the overflow opening as a reference height. This ensures the liquid level remains within a safe operating range, allowing efficient drainage through discharge openings while preventing leakage when the roller clamp is open
3Manufacturing precision
If the overflow opening is spaced from discharge openings in axial direction, then lateral drainage begins at appropriate liquid level, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drip chamber insert is segmented into functional zones: discharge openings at the bottom for drainage and overflow openings at a higher position for level control. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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 significantly simplifies and automates the infusion preparation process, reducing the risk of incorrect handling and air embolisms while ensuring consistent and controlled infusion, thereby enhancing patient safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one overflow opening is spaced from the one or more discharge openings in the axial direction of the drip chamber insert, i.e., lateral drainage does not begin until the infusion or transfusion fluid rises in use in the drip chamber insert and has reached a level up to the at least one overflow opening
Data Source
AI summary
A drip chamber insert for insertion into a drip chamber to be connected to a medical infusion or transfusion device. The drip chamber insert has an open first front side, discharge openings in a second front side opposite the first front side, and an overflow opening. The overflow opening is positioned in a region extending from the first to the second front side. The drip chamber features a drip chamber bottom with an outlet channel. The drip chamber insert is positioned in the drip chamber with the second front side facing the drip chamber bottom. The drip chamber insert or the drip chamber is usable for preparing operation of a medical infusion or transfusion device without shutting off and reopening a connection to the drip chamber and/or without external pressurization of the interior of the drip chamber.