Flush Syringe Resonance for Automatic Pulsatile Catheter Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flush syringe designs require manual effort to produce pulsatile flow, which can be cumbersome and may cause discomfort to clinicians, and existing mechanical solutions often involve complex components or additional devices.
Innovation Solution
A flush syringe that utilizes fluid momentum or resonance to generate pulsatile flow without mechanical interference, using components like rotating wheels with vanes or flexible members to induce rotational velocity or resonance, reducing the need for manual effort and complex parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual pulsatile flushing is performed by alternatingly applying high and low force to the syringe plunger, then bacterial clearance from IV catheters is improved, but clinician discomfort and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe system performs pulsatile flushing automatically through its own fluid flow dynamics. The fluid momentum and pressure differentials generated during normal syringe operation cause the flexible membrane to oscillate and produce pulsatile flow without requiring external manual pulsing actions from the clinician.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pulsing system (clinician applying alternating force to plunger) with a fluid-dynamics-based system. The pulsatile flow is generated through fluid pressure differentials acting on a flexible membrane, eliminating the need for manual mechanical pulsing while maintaining bacterial clearance efficacy.
2Productivity
If mechanical pulsing elements are added to the syringe barrel and plunger rod, then pulsatile flow is generated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex mechanical pulsing elements (projections on plunger rod, corresponding features on barrel interior) and replaces them with a simpler flexible membrane component. The pulsatile flow is generated by fluid pressure acting on this membrane rather than through mechanical interference between rigid components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the membrane from rigid mechanical elements to a flexible, deformable component. This allows the system to generate pulsatile flow through elastic deformation driven by fluid pressure differentials rather than through rigid mechanical projections and recesses.
3Reliability
If in-line pulsating devices are used to generate pressure pulses, then catheter purging is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pulsatile flow generation function directly into the syringe body structure itself, rather than using a separate in-line pulsating device. The flexible membrane is integrated into the syringe barrel, allowing the syringe to generate its own pulsatile flow without requiring additional external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, disposable flexible membrane component that can be easily manufactured and integrated into single-use syringes. This approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to more sophisticated, reusable in-line pulsating devices, aligning with the disposable nature of many medical syringes.
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 syringe efficiently produces pulsatile flow with reduced clinician discomfort and lower manufacturing costs by leveraging fluid momentum or resonance, enhancing catheter flushing efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
fluid flow causing resonance of a flexible member disposed within the syringe to produce the pulsatile flow
Implementation Method 2
A flush syringe that utilizes fluid momentum or resonance to generate pulsatile flow without mechanical interference, using components like rotating wheels with vanes or flexible members to induce rotational velocity or resonance
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A flush syringe for use in maintaining intravenous catheters, which can more efficiently and effectively flush catheters by providing a pulsating, pulsatile, and/or pulsative flow of fluid that can be produced using the momentum of the moving fluid itself. A steady force applied to the plunger while flushing can provide a pulsating flow of fluid to a catheter.