Drip Chamber Float Switching for Continuous Multi-Bottle Infusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infusion sets require manual monitoring of liquid levels in infusion bottles, leading to potential medical accidents due to incomplete infusion or air entry into the patient's bloodstream, especially when multiple bottles are used.

Innovation Solution

A drip component with a chamber and liquid on-off parts that automatically switch infusion bottles based on liquid levels, using a floating body to open or close channels for seamless infusion bottle changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual monitoring of liquid levels is used in existing infusion sets, then the structure is simple, but medical accidents occur due to incomplete infusion or air entry into the patient's bloodstream

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of medical accidentsVSAvoidinfusion set structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid level floating body automatically detects the liquid level in the infusion bottle and triggers the puncture device to switch between bottles without human intervention. The system serves itself by using the liquid's own level to activate the switching mechanism, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and preventing medical accidents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid level floating body provides continuous feedback on the liquid level in the infusion bottle. When the liquid level drops below a threshold, the floating body moves and triggers the puncture device to switch to the next bottle, creating a closed-loop feedback system that ensures reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of moving object

If multiple infusion bottles are used, then the infusion duration is extended, but the complexity of manual switching increases and the risk of error increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfusion durationVSAvoidmanual switching operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages multiple infusion bottles by using the liquid level floating body to detect when each bottle is depleted and autonomously triggering the puncture device to switch to the next bottle. This eliminates the burden of manual switching while extending infusion duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple infusion bottles are prepared in advance and arranged in sequence. The puncture device is pre-configured to automatically switch between them based on liquid level detection, so that when one bottle is depleted, the next bottle is already ready for immediate connection without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the puncture device is manually switched between infusion bottles, then the device complexity is low, but the time required for switching increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfusion efficiencyVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid level floating body and puncture device work together as an automatic system that eliminates manual switching operations. When the liquid level drops, the floating body automatically triggers the puncture device to disconnect from the current bottle and connect to the next one, saving significant time and improving infusion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical operation of switching bottles is replaced by an automatic mechanical system consisting of the liquid level floating body that detects the level and triggers the puncture device. This substitution of manual mechanical operation with an automated mechanical system reduces switching time and improves productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the liquid level is not monitored timely, then the operation is simple, but air may enter the patient's bloodstream causing medical accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidautomatic liquid level monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid level floating body continuously self-monitors the liquid level in the infusion bottle and automatically triggers the switching mechanism when the level becomes critical. This self-monitoring system ensures patient safety without requiring external automation infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The floating body provides continuous visual and mechanical feedback on the liquid level. When the liquid level drops below the safe threshold, the floating body moves to a position that triggers the puncture device to switch bottles, creating a reliable feedback mechanism that prevents air entry into the patient's bloodstream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Automatically switches infusion bottles, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the risk of medical accidents by ensuring continuous infusion and preventing air entry.

Implementation Method 1

the liquid in the chamber pushes the liquid level floating body in the other liquid on-off part, the liquid level floating body is blocked in the corresponding second channel opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4678204A1Infusion device and drip assembly thereof
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 YU GONGXIN
  • EP4678204A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678204A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4678204A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides an infusion set and a drip component thereof, which comprises a drip body, a chamber is arranged inside the drip body, the end of the drip body is divided into a first end and a second end, a liquid outlet is arranged on the drip body, the first end is provided with liquid on-off parts, the liquid on-off part comprises a liquid channel, a first channel opening and a second channel opening are respectively arranged at both ends of the liquid channel, spacing between the second channel opening and the second end in each liquid on-off part is different, the liquid on-off part also comprises a frame body and a liquid level floating body, a liquid inlet hole is arranged on the frame body, and the liquid level floating body is arranged in the frame body and can be blocked or separated from the second channel opening.