Fluid Collection Canister With Gas Filtration for Stable Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aspiration canisters fail to efficiently separate and contain fluids from mixed fluid-gas flows at low flow rates and maintain sub-atmospheric pressures, especially in healthcare environments where precise monitoring and safety are critical.
Innovation Solution
A fluid separation and collection canister with a sub-micron gas filter and one-way valve, allowing for in-line operation between a sub-atmospheric pump and a mixed fluid-gas flow source, featuring separable case half shells and dual-transducer monitoring capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical aspiration canister is used with suction port near the top and inlet port at lower point, then the device is simple to manufacture and operate, but it fails to maintain sub-atmospheric pressures and separate fluids effectively at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The canister is divided into distinct functional zones: an upper chamber with suction port for gas filtration and pressure monitoring, and a lower chamber with inlet port for fluid collection. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure while effectively separating fluids at low flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid separator mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the inlet port and the collection chamber. This separator actively manages the fluid-gas interface, preventing gas bubbles from entering the pump while allowing fluids to be collected, thereby maintaining stable sub-atmospheric pressures even at low flow rates.
2Productivity
If the suction port opens near the top and inlet port at lower point, then gravity aids fluid flow into lower portion, but fluid separation and containment efficiency deteriorates at low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The canister incorporates a dynamic fluid separator that adapts its operation based on flow rate conditions. At low flow rates, the separator actively manages the fluid-gas interface to prevent pump contamination. At higher flow rates, gravity naturally handles fluid separation. This dynamic adaptation ensures consistent separation efficiency across all operating conditions without requiring manual adjustment.
3Reliability
If existing aspiration canisters are used, then the device structure is simple, but safety and efficiency requirements are not met under conditions requiring careful sub-atmospheric pressure monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The upper chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as a gas filter to remove particles from the suction stream, houses pressure monitoring sensors for sub-atmospheric pressure detection, and provides a transition zone for fluid-gas separation. This multi-functionality integrates safety and monitoring capabilities into the existing canister structure, meeting reliability requirements without excessive complexity.
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
Effectively separates and contains fluids, maintaining sub-atmospheric pressures and enabling precise monitoring, even at low flow rates, ensuring safety and efficiency in healthcare applications.
Implementation Method 1
The upper case half shell incorporates a suction port with a sub-micron gas filter
Implementation Method 2
The lower case half shell incorporates an inlet port with a one-way fluid valve
Implementation Method 3
An enclosed collection canister made up of two case half shells separable at mid-line overlapping joint
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid separation and collection canister operable in-line between a sub-atmospheric pump and a source of mixed fluid-gas flow. In one application, the present invention finds particular use in a healthcare environment to assist in the removal of fluids from a patient with internal or external injuries. The enclosed collection canister is made up of two case half shells separable at mid-line overlapping joint. The upper case half shell incorporates a suction port with a sub-micron gas filter, a pass-through port, and an upper fluid extraction port. The lower case half shell incorporates an inlet port with a one-way fluid valve, a lower pass-through port, and a lower fluid extraction port. The pass-through ports are used to carry a pressure monitoring lumen to the source of the mixed fluid-gas flow.