Dual-Lumen Port Side Stem Layout for Balanced Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual, in-line ports with side access stems require a tortuous fluid path between the catheter and the reservoir furthest from the stem, leading to inconsistencies in fluid flow and pressure, which is not addressed by existing side-by-side dual port designs.
Innovation Solution
A dual, in-line port design with a central axis extending through the diametric center points of two reservoirs, featuring a stem with a base extending between the reservoirs and nozzles angled relative to the central axis, allowing for a pivotable stem to adjust the fluid pathway angles and maintain consistent fluid communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If dual, in-line ports are designed with a stem extending from the side proximate the incision site, then the incision site size is reduced, but the fluid path becomes tortuous leading to inconsistencies in fluid flow and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The stem is made pivotable at its connection to the port body, allowing it to be positioned at different angles relative to the reservoirs. This dynamic adjustment enables optimization of the fluid pathway geometry to reduce tortuosity while maintaining the compact in-line configuration that minimizes incision site requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is designed with an adjustable angle relative to the stem axis, allowing modification of the fluid ejection direction. By changing this angular parameter, the fluid pathway can be optimized to reduce tortuosity and ensure consistent flow characteristics to both reservoirs while maintaining the compact port design.
2Reliability
If the stem is made pivotable to adjust fluid pathway angles, then fluid flow consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pivotable connection is provided between the stem and port body, enabling angular adjustment of the stem relative to the port axis. This single degree of freedom mechanism allows optimization of fluid pathways to both reservoirs without requiring complex multi-axis adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle is designed with rotational freedom relative to the stem, allowing angular adjustment of the ejection direction. This simple rotational joint enables tuning of the fluid flow characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a dual, in-line port having a body defining a first reservoir and a second reservoir arranged along a central port axis. Dual, in-line ports can be advantageous since the port can be placed through an incision site, along the central port axis, requiring a smaller incision site than side-by-side dual ports. Further, the port can include a stem extending from a side surface of the body, between the first and second reservoirs, the stem can be angled such that an axis of the catheter can extend parallel to the central port axis. The angled, side stem can mitigate disparities in fluid paths and fluid resistance between the first and second reservoirs and the respective catheter lumen. Embodiments can include a pivotable stem configured to allow an axis of the stem to be repositioned relative to the central port axis.