Effluent Bag Drainage System with Electrical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood treatment systems require manual and physically strenuous emptying of effluent bags, which can weigh up to 10kg, and pose risks of electrical conductive contact during drainage, potentially exceeding permissible patient leakage currents.
Innovation Solution
A drainage hose system with a switching device that establishes a fluid connection between the effluent bag and either the inlet or outlet line, allowing for automated emptying while preventing electrical contact, and integrating components for simultaneous filling and emptying to reduce manual steps and effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual emptying of effluent bag is performed, then the bag can be emptied, but physical strain on operators increases and electrical safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The effluent bag system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a filling connection for receiving effluent and an emptying connection for discharge, with electrically insulating sections separating these zones. This segmentation allows automated emptying operations while maintaining electrical isolation between the filling and emptying pathways, eliminating the need for manual handling and preventing electrical conductive contact.
Solution Approach 2:
Electrically insulating sections are introduced as intermediary elements between the effluent bag interior and the external environment. These insulating sections act as mediators that prevent direct electrical contact while allowing fluid passage, thereby enabling safe automated emptying operations without exposing operators to electrical hazards.
2Ease of operation
If automated emptying system is implemented, then physical strain is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The effluent bag is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a collection container and an automated discharge system. The bag incorporates both filling and emptying connections with integrated electrically insulating sections, allowing it to perform multiple functions (receiving effluent, maintaining electrical isolation, and enabling automated emptying) without requiring separate complex systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling connection and emptying connection systems are merged into a single effluent bag structure with integrated electrically insulating sections. This combination allows the bag to handle both filling and emptying operations autonomously while maintaining electrical safety, reducing the need for separate manual intervention systems and simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Device complexity
If effluent bag has single opening, then structure is simplified, but filling and emptying operations become mutually exclusive
Solution Approach 1:
The single opening of the effluent bag is segmented into functionally distinct filling and emptying connections. This segmentation allows simultaneous or alternating filling and emptying operations through different openings, maintaining the simplicity of the bag structure while enabling efficient bidirectional fluid management without operational conflicts.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an effluent bag (400) for receiving the effluent resulting from a blood treatment, comprising one or precisely one closable effluent opening (400a) or connection to an exterior of the effluent bag (400). The invention further relates to a method, a blood treatment device and a drain hose system.