Helical Microflow Restrictor Assembly for Stable Infusion Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microflow restrictors in medical infusion systems are prone to seizing due to triboelectric charges and are costly to manufacture, with issues of micro leaks leading to decreasing flow rates over time.
Innovation Solution
A medical fluid microflow assembly with a sealed fluid channel configuration that manages triboelectric effects, using materials like polycarbonate to minimize charge impact, and a manufacturing method involving partially-hardened components to simplify production and reduce costs, ensuring consistent fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If small fluid pathways are used in microflow restrictors, then flow regulation precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pathway is segmented into multiple sections with different cross-sectional areas along its length. The pathway includes a first section with a first cross-sectional area and a second section with a second cross-sectional area, allowing different flow regulation characteristics in different zones. This segmentation enables precise flow control while using standard manufacturing processes for each section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the fluid pathway have different geometric properties tailored to specific functional requirements. The first section has different dimensions than the second section, with each section optimized for its local flow control needs. This local quality approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving overall flow precision.
2Reliability
If tortuous paths are created to break bubbles and circumvent particulates, then flow reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single fluid pathway structure. The pathway simultaneously achieves flow regulation, bubble breaking, and particulate circumvention through its geometric design with varying cross-sectional areas, eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid pathway incorporates curved and tortuous sections that naturally break bubbles and redirect fluid flow around particulates. The curved geometry creates flow disturbances that disrupt bubble integrity and force fluid to circumvent obstacles without requiring additional mechanical components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimal operating pressures are used in infusion pumps, then patient safety is improved, but ability to overcome particulates and bubbles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pathway is designed with pre-calculated geometric features that create flow disturbances and pressure variations before the fluid reaches critical components. These preliminary actions break bubbles and dislodge particulates upstream, preventing them from causing flow blockages downstream without requiring high operating pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tortuous pathway geometry creates natural flow vibrations and turbulence as fluid passes through sections with varying cross-sectional areas. These mechanical vibrations help break bubbles and dislodge particulates from pathway walls, maintaining flow continuity at low operating pressures.
4Measurement precision
If very small fluid pathways are used, then flow regulation capability is improved, but susceptibility to seizing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pathway incorporates dynamic geometric variations along its length, with cross-sectional areas that change to create flowing, non-static flow patterns. This dynamic geometry prevents fluid from settling and reduces the likelihood of particulates adhering to pathway walls, decreasing seizing susceptibility while maintaining small pathway dimensions.
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 solution enables consistent fluid flow over time with reduced interference from triboelectric effects and lowers manufacturing costs, improving the reliability and efficiency of microflow restrictors in medical infusion systems.
Implementation Method 1
triboelectric charges created by the fluid flowing through the microflow restrictor impact the flow of fluid through the restrictor over time
Data Source
AI summary
A medical fluid microflow assembly having an assembly fluid inlet and an assembly fluid outlet, and a mandrel having a curved exterior surface, the mandrel being positioned within an cavity of a housing so that the exterior surface of the mandrel is substantially parallel to an interior surface of the cavity, and at least one protrusion positioned helically around and extending from the interior surface of the cavity, each protrusion abutting the exterior surface of the mandrel to form a sealed fluid channel which has a channel inlet positioned proximate to the assembly fluid inlet and a channel outlet positioned proximate to the assembly fluid outlet, the exterior surface of the mandrel and the interior surface of the cavity having a minimal or neutral triboelectric value with respect to a fluid.