Gas Trap Device Radial Diffuser Air Bubble Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV systems face challenges in maintaining a closed system to prevent ingress of contaminants and egress of toxic liquids, gases, or vapors, particularly during the administration of hazardous drugs, which can lead to air embolism and other safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A gas trap device with a chamber, inlet port, diffuser, outlet port, and flow diverter is designed to capture air bubbles by redirecting fluid flow through a diffuser with radial openings, ensuring that air is separated and trapped in the uppermost region of the chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed system is used to prevent ingress of contaminants and egress of toxic liquids, gases or vapors, then patient and healthcare practitioner safety is improved, but the risk of air embolism increases due to pressure drops from manual manipulations or connection devices
Solution Approach 1:
The gas trap device is pre-installed in the IV line before fluid administration begins. The chamber is initially filled with fluid through the inlet port, creating a fluid seal that proactively prevents air from entering the patient's venous system. This preliminary action establishes the protective barrier before any pressure drops or connections can compromise system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas trap chamber acts as an intermediary device between the IV fluid source and the patient's venous system. It serves as a buffer zone where air bubbles can be captured and trapped in the uppermost region of the chamber, preventing them from reaching the patient while maintaining the closed system's integrity and continuing fluid delivery.
2Reliability
If connection devices or manual manipulations are reduced to maintain closed system integrity, then safety is improved, but the ability to access the IV system for additional drugs or adjustments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gas trap device incorporates multiple functional features: it serves as an air trap, a fluid reservoir, and includes a Luer lock connection that allows access for flushing or medication administration. The chamber can be accessed through the inlet port for flushing with saline or administering additional medications, eliminating the need to break the closed system seal while maintaining safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the IV system is kept closed to prevent contaminant ingress, then infection risk is reduced, but air bubbles generated from temperature changes or degassing cannot escape
Solution Approach 1:
The gas trap device extracts and separates air bubbles from the IV fluid stream. The chamber design with radial flow diffuser openings creates turbulence that coalesces air bubbles, which then rise to the uppermost region of the chamber due to buoyancy. The air is effectively removed from the fluid path and trapped in the chamber, preventing it from reaching the patient while maintaining the closed system.
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 device effectively prevents air embolism by ensuring that air bubbles are trapped within the device, maintaining a closed system and enhancing safety during IV administration, particularly for hazardous drugs.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser in the inlet port, the diffuser comprising openings for radial flow into the chamber of fluid relative to an inlet port axis
Implementation Method 2
a flow diverter mounted distally of the inlet port and proximally of said conduit. In preferred examples, the diverter is configured for flow of inlet fluid to change direction through at least 80° from an inlet port axis
Implementation Method 3
ensuring that air is separated and trapped in the uppermost region of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Gas trap devices and methods of use such as uses for intravenous medial use are described. They effectively prevent gas bubbles from migrating distally towards a patient in use. They may have a priming port which is used only once and permanently sealed at priming. There may be a particle filter to also prevent migration of particles towards the outlet, and this may be across the full cross section of the chamber between the diverter and the outlet conduit.