Fluid Conduit Trapping Chamber with Dual Membrane Air Venting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid infusion devices face challenges in effectively removing air bubbles from medication fluids, which can be introduced during reservoir filling or due to temperature and altitude changes, potentially leading to incomplete delivery of medication.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conduit assembly with a trapping chamber that includes a hydrophilic membrane for liquid outlet and a hydrophobic membrane for gas outlet, allowing liquid to flow while inhibiting gas flow and vice versa, ensuring that only medication fluid is delivered to the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single outlet arrangement is used in the trapping chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot simultaneously accommodate liquid flow and gas venting functions
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet arrangement is segmented into two distinct outlets: a liquid outlet with a hydrophilic membrane that allows liquid passage while blocking gas, and a gas outlet with a hydrophobic membrane that allows gas passage while blocking liquid. This segmentation enables each outlet to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local qualities are applied to different outlets through the use of selectively permeable membranes. The liquid outlet is equipped with a hydrophilic membrane that is locally optimized for liquid permeability, while the gas outlet uses a hydrophobic membrane locally optimized for gas permeability. This local differentiation allows the device to achieve dual functionality without requiring a complex integrated structure.
2Ease of operation
If air bubbles are not removed from medication fluid, then the device operation is simpler, but the reliability of medication delivery is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The trapping chamber is designed to perform preliminary air bubble removal from the medication fluid before the fluid reaches the injection site. The chamber captures and vents air bubbles through the gas outlet while allowing liquid medication to pass through the liquid outlet, ensuring that only bubble-free medication is delivered to the patient. This preliminary action maintains ease of operation while significantly improving delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The trapping chamber acts as an intermediary component between the medication reservoir and the delivery system. It mediates the fluid flow by separating and removing air bubbles from the medication, ensuring that the downstream system receives only liquid medication. This intermediary function protects the overall system reliability without complicating the operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophobic membrane is used for liquid outlet, then gas flow is blocked, but liquid flow is also inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The solution applies local quality by matching membrane properties to specific outlet functions. The liquid outlet uses a hydrophilic membrane that is locally optimized for high liquid permeability, while the gas outlet uses a hydrophobic membrane locally optimized for gas permeability. This correct matching ensures that each outlet performs its intended function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between gas blocking and liquid flow productivity.
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 solution effectively removes air bubbles from the medication fluid, ensuring consistent and complete delivery of medication, reducing the risk of incomplete infusion and improving the reliability of fluid infusion devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first membrane covering the delivery hole, the first membrane having hydrophilic properties to accommodate flow of liquid from the interior volume through the delivery hole while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume through the delivery hole
Implementation Method 2
a second membrane covering the vent hole, the second membrane having hydrophobic properties to accommodate flow of gas from the interior volume through the vent hole while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume through the vent hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fluid conduit assembly for delivery of a medication fluid, and an associated fluid delivery system, are disclosed here. The fluid conduit assembly includes a trapping chamber having an interior volume to receive the medication fluid. The fluid conduit assembly also includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior volume, a first outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber, and a second outlet arrangement for the trapping chamber. The first outlet arrangement accommodates flow of liquid from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of gas from the interior volume. The second outlet arrangement accommodates flow of gas from the interior volume, while inhibiting flow of liquid from the interior volume.