Automated Enteral Feeding Valve Mechanism for Neonatal Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current enteral feeding methods, such as gravity feeding and peristaltic pumps, are unsuitable for neonates as they deliver liquid nutrients too quickly and inaccurately, necessitating the use of syringe pumps for precise low flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A valve mechanism integrated with an automated feeding device that includes a syringe, a crank-slider mechanism, and a rotatable valve member, allowing for precise control of liquid delivery through different configurations for priming, metering, and feeding, enabling continuous or bolus feeding with controlled flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gravity feeding is used, then the liquid flows quickly into the patient's stomach, but the delivery rate is uncontrolled and too fast for neonates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a syringe pump as an intermediary device between the liquid container and the patient. The syringe pump provides precise control over the delivery rate by mechanically pushing the liquid through a controlled mechanism, allowing accurate regulation of flow rate for neonatal feeding requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple gravity-based mechanical system with an automated syringe pump system. This substitution enables precise electronic control of the syringe plunger, allowing accurate regulation of liquid delivery rate that cannot be achieved with gravity feeding alone.
2Measurement precision
If peristaltic pump is used, then the liquid is delivered at a controlled rate, but the precision is insufficient for small amounts of liquid required by neonates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a syringe pump as an intermediary device that provides superior precision compared to peristaltic pumps. The syringe pump's direct mechanical engagement with the syringe plunger allows for more accurate measurement and delivery of small liquid volumes required for neonatal feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a syringe mechanism that directly replicates and controls the liquid delivery process. The syringe pump creates a precise copy of the desired delivery profile by controlling the plunger movement, enabling accurate replication of small flow rates needed for neonates.
3Measurement precision
If syringe pump is used, then the liquid is delivered at a precise low flow rate, but the setup requires manual loading of liquid into the syringe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an automated priming mechanism that performs preliminary action by automatically loading the syringe with liquid from the container before feeding begins. This eliminates the need for manual syringe loading, reducing setup complexity while maintaining precise flow rate control during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically priming the syringe with liquid from the container without requiring manual intervention. The automated priming mechanism draws liquid into the syringe through controlled valve operation, allowing the system to prepare itself for operation and reducing the burden on the user.
4Ease of operation
If automated priming is implemented, then liquid loss is prevented and setup is simplified, but the valve mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated valve mechanism that handles both priming and feeding operations. The valve mechanism combines liquid transfer, priming control, and flow regulation functions in one component, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality of automated priming.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a priming valve and a feeding valve. This universal design allows the same valve mechanism to perform multiple operations (priming, liquid transfer, flow control) without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
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
Enables precise and controlled delivery of small amounts of liquid nutrients to neonates, minimizing waste and ensuring accurate feeding protocols, including continuous and bolus feeding, with automated priming to prevent liquid loss and simplify setup.
Implementation Method 1
The pump device includes a piston that engages a plunger of the syringe. The piston is aligned with the plunger and moves linearly to depress the plunger and expel the liquid out the syringe
Implementation Method 2
A feeding tube, such as a nasogastric feeding tube, running from a container of liquid nutrients and/or medicine is inserted into the stomach of the patient, and the liquid flows, by gravity, into the stomach of the patient
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~5
AI summary
A valve mechanism (18) for use with a feeding set (12) includes a reservoir (50) of liquid and a metering device. The valve mechanism includes a valve body (30) including a reservoir port (40) adapted to be fluidly connected to the reservoir (50), a metering port (44) adapted to be fluidly connected to the metering device, a feeding port (42) adapted to be in fluid communication with the patient, and a priming port (46) in fluid communication with atmosphere. A valve member (58) in the valve body (30) is adapted to selectively fluidly connect the reservoir port (40) to the priming port (46), to fluidly connect the reservoir port (40) to the metering port, and to fluidly connect the metering port (44) to the feeding port (40).