Fluid Trap Flow Diffuser Gas Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
During medical fluid procedures, such as intravenous solutions, there is a risk of introducing gas bubbles into the patient's vascular system, which can lead to gas embolism, and warming the fluids decreases gas solubility, causing outgassing, necessitating an effective method to trap and remove gases before delivery.
Innovation Solution
A fluid trap apparatus with an inlet and outlet system that uses a flow diffuser to separate fluids of different densities, allowing the denser fluid to pass through while trapping gases within an interior chamber, and optionally includes mechanisms for passive or active release of trapped gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If warming is applied to medical fluids, then patient comfort and fluid acceptance are improved, but gas solubility decreases causing outgassing
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid trap is positioned in the fluid pathway before the warmed fluid reaches the patient, allowing gases to be trapped and removed in advance. The trap captures gas bubbles that form during warming, preventing them from reaching the patient and causing embolism.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid trap acts as an intermediary device between the fluid source and the patient. It intercepts and removes gas bubbles from the warmed fluid, serving as a protective barrier that allows warming to proceed while preventing harmful gas delivery.
2Device complexity
If gas bubbles are allowed to accumulate in the fluid, then gas removal complexity is reduced, but gas embolism risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pathway is segmented into sections with the fluid trap positioned to intercept gas bubbles. The trap creates separate zones where gases can accumulate and be removed independently from the main fluid flow, allowing simple bubble removal without complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid trap utilizes the natural behavior of gas bubbles in warmed fluid to achieve gas removal. The temperature-induced outgassing and bubble formation are harnessed to automatically draw gases into the trap for removal, eliminating the need for active gas detection or removal systems.
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 prevents gas bubbles from reaching the patient by separating gases from denser fluids, ensuring continuous flow of the denser fluid and allowing controlled release of trapped gases, thus minimizing the risk of gas embolism and maintaining patient safety.
Implementation Method 1
The composite fluid includes at least a first fluid of a first density and a second fluid of a second density. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber from the inlet to the first outlet. The first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid trap apparatus includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of composite fluid into the apparatus. The composite fluid contains at least a first fluid and a second fluid. An outer wall defines an interior chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed within the interior chamber. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid to circulate through the interior chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid separate as the composite fluid circulates through the interior chamber. A method of separating a first fluid from a second fluid includes introducing a flow of composite fluid into a separate chamber. A pressure gradient is created within the separation chamber. A flow diffuser is interposed in a flow path between an inlet and an outlet. The flow diffuser directs the flow of the composite fluid within the separation chamber. The first fluid and the second fluid are separated.