Illuminated Fluid Reservoir Assembly for Bubble Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid injection systems lack effective methods to illuminate the interior of fluid reservoirs, which can lead to the injection of harmful air bubbles into patients, and require users to monitor multiple devices for system status information.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injection system with a lighting assembly that illuminates the interior of the fluid reservoir using a light source, which can reflect or refract light within the reservoir, and adjusts light characteristics to convey operating status information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If ambient light is used to illuminate the fluid reservoir, then the structure remains simple, but the interior of the reservoir cannot be adequately illuminated for bubble detection
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly is integrated into the injector housing, merging the illumination function with the existing structural components. The light source is positioned within the housing to directly illuminate the fluid reservoir interior, combining multiple functions into a unified structure rather than adding separate external lighting components.
Solution Approach 2:
A diffuser is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the fluid reservoir. The diffuser scatters and distributes the light uniformly across the reservoir interior, enabling adequate illumination without requiring the light source to be in direct contact with the fluid or positioned at complex angles.
2Loss of information
If multiple separate devices are used to display system status information, then each device can be specialized, but the user must monitor multiple devices increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly serves multiple functions: it illuminates the fluid reservoir interior for bubble detection and simultaneously displays system operational status through different light patterns, colors, or intensities. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate monitoring devices into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source can change its characteristics (color, intensity, or pattern) to convey different system status information. For example, different colors or flashing patterns can indicate various operational states, error conditions, or readiness levels, providing rich information delivery through a single visual channel.
3Reliability
If no internal illumination is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but air bubbles cannot be reliably detected in the fluid reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary illumination of the fluid reservoir before injection to enable detection of air bubbles. The lighting assembly is activated to illuminate the reservoir interior, allowing operators to visually inspect for bubbles and other abnormalities before the actual injection process begins, preventing harmful injections.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system provides visual feedback about both the fluid reservoir contents (through illumination) and the system operational status (through controlled light patterns). This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and detection without requiring separate complex sensing systems, as the same light source serves dual feedback functions.
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
Enhances bubble detection and reduces the need for users to monitor multiple devices by providing visual cues about the system's status, improving safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the light source illuminates the interior of the fluid reservoir by shining through one end of the fluid reservoir and using the liquid inside the fluid reservoir to refract the light
Implementation Method 2
the light source focuses and directs light towards a reflector that reflects the light down a peripheral wall of the fluid reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A fluid injection system includes an injector housing, a sleeve, and a lighting assembly. The sleeve is coupled to the injector housing and is configured to receive and secure a fluid reservoir. The lighting assembly is coupled to the injector housing. The lighting assembly includes a light source configured to illuminate an interior of the fluid reservoir by directing light emitted by the light source into the fluid reservoir.