Foldable Tube Anchor Structure to Prevent Kinks in Blood Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attaching members for blood purification apparatuses are large in size and prone to cause kinks or bends in flexible tubes due to continuous guide- or groove-shaped portions for holding tubes.
Innovation Solution
An attaching member with an anchor portion defined by a slit that is foldable and separable from the main body, allowing it to be raised and form a semicircular or hook shape to securely anchor flexible tubes, thereby preventing size increase and kinks or bends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide-shaped portions or groove-shaped portions are formed continuously with the attaching member in the form of block-like portions, then flexible tubes can be held, but the size of the attaching member as a whole becomes large and the flexible tubes tend to have kinks or bends
Solution Approach 1:
The attaching member is divided into a main body and a separate anchor portion that can be folded from the main body. This segmentation allows the anchor portion to be deployed only when needed, reducing the overall size when folded while providing holding capability when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor portion is designed to be foldable and raisable from the main body, transitioning between a compact folded state and an extended working state. This dynamic structure allows the attaching member to adapt its size based on operational requirements.
2Reliability
If guide-shaped portions or groove-shaped portions are formed continuously with the attaching member in the form of block-like portions, then flexible tubes can be held, but the flexible tubes tend to have kinks or bends
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the anchor portion from the main body, the design eliminates the need for continuous block-like structures that cause tube deformation. The discrete, foldable anchor portions can be positioned optimally without constraining the tube path.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor portion is designed with a semicircular shape that conforms to the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube. This curved geometry provides smooth support that prevents kinks and bends in the tube.
Data Source
AI summary
The present teachings provide an attaching member that holds a flexible tube through which liquid related to blood purification treatment is made to flow. The attaching member is attached to a blood purification apparatus and includes an anchor portion defined by a slit in such a manner as to be separated from an other portion and to be foldable, the anchor portion being capable of anchoring the flexible tube when folded to be raised from the other portion.