Fluid Connector Slider Assembly for Catheter Gauge Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PIVC blood draw methods experience hemolysis due to high shear stress on red blood cells, leading to sample rejection and complications such as catheter tip collapse and vein collapse, especially when using existing connection systems and blood collection devices.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector device with a slider assembly that regulates fluid flow by aligning or sealing openings in the connector based on its position, allowing it to be compatible with various catheter gauges and reducing hemolysis by controlling the flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a blood collection container with vacuum is coupled to the catheter to draw blood, then blood collection efficiency is improved, but hemolysis occurs due to high shear stress on red blood cells
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter hub is divided into multiple lumens: a first lumen for flashback verification and a second lumen for blood collection. This segmentation allows different functions to occur in separate pathways, enabling blood collection while managing pressure differentials to reduce hemolysis risk
Solution Approach 2:
A flow regulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the catheter and blood collection container. This mediator controls and regulates the flow of blood, reducing the pressure differential and shear stress on red blood cells while still enabling efficient blood collection
2Speed
If a high pressure differential is used to fill the blood collection container quickly, then blood collection speed is improved, but catheter tip collapse or vein collapse occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The flow regulator is designed with movable components (slider assembly) that can dynamically adjust the flow characteristics. This allows the system to adapt flow resistance in real-time, maintaining stable catheter and vein positioning while controlling blood collection speed
Solution Approach 2:
The flow regulator changes the flow parameters (pressure differential, flow rate) through its adjustable mechanism. By modifying these parameters, the system achieves reliable blood collection without causing catheter tip or vein collapse
3Reliability
If a multi-lumen catheter hub with clamping mechanism is used to prevent fluid movement when connections are detached, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter hub is segmented into multiple lumens with dedicated functions (flashback lumen, blood collection lumen). This segmentation allows independent control of fluid pathways, improving safety while maintaining manageable complexity through functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter hub design integrates multiple functions: flashback verification, blood collection, and flow regulation. By combining these functions in a single multi-lumen structure, the system achieves improved safety without proportionally increasing 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
The fluid connector device effectively reduces hemolysis across different catheter gauge sizes by regulating flow, maintaining blood quality, and allowing seamless integration with existing PIVC systems without requiring operational changes.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid connector device with a slider assembly that regulates fluid flow by aligning or sealing openings in the connector based on its position, allowing it to be compatible with various catheter gauges and reducing hemolysis by controlling the flow rate.
Implementation Method 2
When the blood collection container is coupled to the catheter, a pressure in the vein is higher than a pressure in the blood collection container, which pushes blood into the blood collection container, thus filling the blood collection container with blood.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid connector device for a blood collection system is disclosed. In order to be safely used with different gauges, the fluid connector device can regulate blood flow therethrough based upon the catheter gauge. For example, when 18-to-22-gauge catheters are used, the fluid connector device regulates the blood flow by positioning a slider assembly (within the fluid connector device) to a setting that allows a single channel to transmit blood through the fluid connector device into a fluid inlet and out of a fluid outlet of the fluid connector device. Alternatively, in another example, when 24-gauge (or greater) catheters are used, the slider assembly can be actuated to a new position, which allows multiple channels to transmit blood into the fluid inlet and out of the fluid outlet. By regulating blood flow, the fluid connector device can limit or prevent hemolysis, while being universally used with different catheters.