Infusion Drip Chamber Priming With a Movable Volume Adjustment Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drip chamber devices require cumbersome and time-consuming manual squeezing to prime the infusion line, making the process difficult for users.
Innovation Solution
A drip chamber device with a movable adjustment member that alters the inner space volume through a piston-like action, allowing fluid to be sucked in and pushed out with two distinct actuation movements, simplifying the priming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the chamber body is made flexible to enable manual squeezing for priming, then fluid can be pumped from the container into the tubing, but the priming process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member is made movable relative to the chamber body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the inner space volume. This enables a piston-like action that efficiently pumps fluid during priming without requiring repeated manual squeezing of a flexible chamber body
Solution Approach 2:
The priming function is separated from the chamber body structure itself. Instead of making the entire chamber body flexible, a distinct adjustment member is introduced to perform the pumping action, dividing the system into static chamber body and movable adjustment member components
2Productivity
If repeated manual squeezing is used to fill the chamber body and tubing with fluid, then priming is achieved, but the operation becomes cumbersome for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment member can be moved to different positions to dynamically change the inner space volume, creating an efficient pumping mechanism that fills the tubing faster and more easily than repeated squeezing
Solution Approach 2:
The volume of the inner space is changed by moving the adjustment member, altering the physical parameters of the chamber to achieve efficient fluid transfer during priming without cumbersome manual operations
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
Facilitates easy and user-friendly priming of the drip chamber and infusion line by reducing the need for repeated squeezing, thereby enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment member is movable within the chamber body to alter a volume of the inner space confined within the chamber body. Fluid may be caused to enter into the chamber body by movement of the adjustment member such that the drip chamber device is at least partially filled with fluid.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drip chamber device (1) for use on an infusion line (2) for administering a medical fluid (F) from a medical container (3) to a patient (P) comprises a chamber body (12) forming a wall (120) confining an inner space (R) of the chamber body (12), an inflow end (10) for allowing the medical fluid (F) to flow into said inner space (R) of the chamber body (12) in a downstream direction, and an outflow end (11) for allowing the medical fluid (F) to exit from said inner space (R) of the chamber body (12) in said downstream direction. An adjustment member (13) is movable relative to said wall (120) of the chamber body (12), said adjustment member (13) comprising a closing section (130) which in a first position of the adjustment member (13) defines a first volume (V0) of the inner space (R) and is movable within said chamber body (12) to change the volume of the inner space (R).