Fluid Dampening Element for Stable Pulsatile Medical Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical fluid management systems using peristaltic or membrane pumps often experience undesirable pressure fluctuations, which need to be mitigated to ensure consistent fluid flow during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system incorporating a dampening element with movable seal members and biasing members, such as elastic elements or gases, to actively dampen pressure fluctuations and smooth pulsatile fluid flows, while a fluid flow sensor measures and adjusts the flow rate to maintain consistency.
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 causing pulsatile flow
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 receives the pulsatile fluid flow and converts it into a smoother flow pattern, thereby mediating between the pump's pulsatile output and the device's requirement for consistent flow
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening element changes the physical parameters of the fluid flow by utilizing a compliant chamber that expands and contracts in response to pressure fluctuations. This compliance transforms the pulsatile flow characteristics into a more stable flow pattern, effectively changing the flow consistency parameter
2Productivity
If peristaltic or membrane pumps are used, then fluid transport is achieved, but pressure fluctuations cause undesirable effects
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening element serves as a mediator that absorbs and attenuates pressure fluctuations generated by the pump. The compliant chamber within the dampening element acts as a buffer, reducing the amplitude of pressure waves before they reach the medical device
Solution Approach 2:
The dampening element converts the harmful pressure fluctuations into beneficial flow smoothing. The compliant chamber utilizes the pressure variations to drive fluid into and out of the chamber in a controlled manner, transforming the harmful pulsations into a stabilizing mechanism
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 fluctuations, ensuring a more consistent and stable fluid flow in both infusion and suction directions, improving the reliability and efficiency of medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing member may be an elastic element
Implementation Method 2
the elastic element may be a spring
Implementation Method 3
the biasing member may be a gas, such as a gas at atmospheric pressure (e.g., atmospheric air) or a compressed gas
Implementation Method 4
the pressure relief port may be opened by axial translation of the movable seal member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
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.