Fluid Administration Device with Adjustable Valve and Indicator Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for administering fluid medicaments lack precision in dosing, particularly at low flow rates, which can lead to either ineffective treatment or adverse effects due to inaccurate dosage.
Innovation Solution
A device with an adjustable valve system and an indicator chamber that ensures immediate convergence of fluids upon switching, minimizing delay and allowing for precise control over the administration of medicaments, using a hydrophobic filter to prevent gas bubbles and a hydrophilic filter to remove contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mixing chambers or multi-channel tubes are used to converge medicaments, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dosing precision deteriorates due to delayed fluid convergence and inability to control mixing timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filling the second channel with fluid before the valve switches to the collecting point. This ensures that when the valve transitions from the first position (connected to indicator chamber) to the second position (connected to collecting point), the fluid convergence occurs immediately without delay, achieving precise dosing control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an indicator chamber as an intermediary element between the second inlet and the collecting point. This intermediary chamber allows for visual confirmation of fluid presence and enables precise timing of the valve switch, thereby improving dosing precision without significantly increasing overall device complexity
2Productivity
If the valve switches immediately to the collecting point, then productivity is improved by reducing delay time, but measurement precision deteriorates because it cannot confirm fluid presence in the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by filling the second channel with fluid before the actual medication administration begins. The valve initially directs fluid to the indicator chamber to confirm presence, then switches to the collecting point for immediate administration, achieving both speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator chamber provides visual feedback to confirm that fluid is present in the second channel before the valve switches to the collecting point. This feedback mechanism ensures dosage accuracy while maintaining fast administration speed by eliminating uncertainty about fluid presence
3Reliability
If the second channel volume is increased to ensure fluid presence, then reliability is improved, but loss of time worsens due to longer delay before medication convergence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid path into two distinct parts: the indicator chamber for confirming fluid presence and the second channel for actual medication delivery. This segmentation allows the indicator chamber to be small (minimizing delay time) while still providing reliable visual confirmation of fluid presence in the separate second channel
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator chamber serves as an intermediary that provides reliable confirmation of fluid presence without requiring a large second channel volume. By separating the confirmation function from the delivery function, the system achieves both reliability and fast response time
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
The device achieves precise and timely administration of medicaments, reducing delays and fluctuations in flow rates, thereby ensuring accurate dosing and minimizing risks associated with incorrect medication delivery.
Implementation Method 1
using a hydrophobic filter to prevent gas bubbles
Implementation Method 2
hydrophilic filter to remove contaminants
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (2) for the administration of fluids to a human or animal body comprising a housing (3) with a first inlet (28), at least one second inlet (29, 30), one outlet (31) and a collecting point, wherein the first inlet (28) communicates with the collecting point through a first channel and the outlet (31) communicates with the collecting point. The device is characterized in that the second inlet (29, 30) communicates with the collecting point or an indicator chamber (24, 25) through a second channel (21, 22) in which a valve (26, 27) is arranged, the valve (26, 27) being adjustable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the valve (26, 27), the second channel (26, 27) communicates with the indicator chamber (24, 25) and, in the second position of the valve (26, 27), the second channel (21, 22) communicates with the collecting point. With the device (2) according to the invention, flow rate irregularities are eliminated (over shoot) or at least minimized (time delay, flow rate fluctuations due to changing flow rates), such that the device (2) allows for a more precise dosage.