Fluid Dampening Element for Stable Pulsatile Medical Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid management systems using peristaltic or membrane pumps experience undesirable pressure fluctuations in fluid flow, which can disrupt medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system incorporating a dampening element with movable seal members and biasing members within barrels to actively dampen pressure fluctuations, smoothing pulsatile fluid flow and including a fluid flow sensor to measure and control flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If peristaltic or membrane pumps are used to transport fluid, then fluid can be delivered through the medical device, but pressure fluctuations occur that are undesirable in some situations
Solution Approach 1:
A dampening element is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump and the medical device. This dampening element includes a compliant chamber that absorbs pressure fluctuations from the pulsatile pump output, providing a stable pressure interface to the medical device while maintaining fluid delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening element changes the pressure parameter characteristics by converting pulsatile pressure variations into a more stable pressure output. The compliant chamber expands and contracts in response to pressure fluctuations, effectively filtering the pressure signal while maintaining continuous fluid flow.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a dampening element is added to reduce pressure fluctuations, then pressure stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening element is integrated into the existing fluid pathway as a single unified component rather than multiple separate parts. The compliant chamber, outlet port, and connection interfaces are combined into one compact assembly that can be inserted into the fluid pathway without requiring additional complex mechanisms or multiple components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the dampening element is positioned between the pump and medical device, then pressure fluctuations are reduced, but the fluid pathway length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening element is designed as a compact nested structure where the compliant chamber is positioned within a housing that integrates with the fluid pathway. The outlet port and connection features are nested within the overall compact form factor, minimizing the extension of the fluid pathway while maintaining the pressure dampening 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
The system effectively reduces pressure and flow fluctuations, maintaining a consistent fluid flow rate by actively compensating for pulsatile pressures in both infusion and suction directions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member disposed within the barrel and engaged with the movable seal member... the elastic element may be in compression... the elastic element may be in tension
Implementation Method 2
the biasing member may be a gas, such as a gas at atmospheric pressure (e.g., atmospheric air) or a compressed gas
Implementation Method 3
the dampening element being responsive to pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to actively dampen the pressure fluctuations and smoothen the pulsatile fluid flow
Implementation Method 4
a fluid flow sensor disposed along the fluid pathway between the dampening element and the medical device to measure a flow rate of the smoothened pulsatile fluid flow in both flow directions of the fluid pathway
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A fluid management system may include a fluid pump capable of generating a pulsatile flow of fluid, a fluid pathway for transporting the pulsatile flow of fluid from a fluid source through the fluid pump to a medical device, a dampening element in fluid communication with the fluid pathway and operably independent of the fluid pump, the dampening element comprising one or more barrels, each barrel including a movable seal member disposed within the barrel and a biasing member disposed within the barrel and engaged with the movable seal member, the dampening element being responsive to pressure fluctuations of the pulsatile fluid flow to actively dampen the pressure fluctuations, and a fluid flow sensor disposed along the fluid pathway between the dampening element and the medical device to measure a flow rate of the smoothened pulsatile fluid flow in both flow directions.