Infusion Control Device with Torsion-Spring Clamping and Gear Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infusion systems lack precision in controlling fluid flow rates, leading to variations due to user effort, patient movement, and environmental factors, resulting in potential over or under dosage, and existing monitors are costly and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An affordable infusion control device with a drop sensor array, torsion-spring clamping mechanism, and manual gear-based flow regulation, which accommodates different drip chamber sizes and minimizes creep and hysteresis effects, ensuring precise real-time drop rate monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a roller clamp is used to control flow rate in gravity infusion, then the device is simple and affordable, but the flow rate precision is poor and varies due to user pressure and hand movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual roller clamp mechanical system with a gear-based mechanical transmission system. The gear mechanism converts rotational motion from a dial into precise linear displacement of a stopper that constricts the tubing, providing much finer control over flow rate compared to the direct pressure application of a roller clamp.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the gear system allows continuous fine-tuning of the stopper position. This enables real-time dynamic adjustment of flow rate with high precision, eliminating the static and coarse control of traditional roller clamps.
2Measurement precision
If conventional infusion monitors are used to monitor drop rate, then the flow rate can be monitored, but the devices are costly and produce continuous alarms causing bad patient experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, low-cost optical sensors (LED and photodetector) instead of expensive commercial infusion monitors. The sensor system is basic in design, using common electronic components that are inexpensive to manufacture, while still achieving accurate drop rate monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential drop rate sensing function from complex commercial monitors, implementing a minimal viable sensor system that uses an LED light source and photodetector to detect drops passing through the tubing, eliminating unnecessary features and reducing cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single drop sensor is used, then the device is simple, but it cannot accommodate different sized drip chambers and is affected by unwanted movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing function into multiple parallel optical sensors arranged in an array. Each sensor can detect drops in different positions, allowing the system to accommodate various drip chamber sizes and maintain accurate detection even when the drip chamber moves or is positioned at different orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor array is designed to be universally applicable to different drip chamber sizes and configurations. By having multiple sensors that can detect drops from various positions, the system adapts to different chamber diameters and orientations without requiring reconfiguration.
4Measurement precision
If manual pressure is applied to roller clamp to set flow rate, then the mechanism is simple to operate, but the flow rate varies due to creep and hysteresis properties of deformable tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The gear mechanism allows the user to pre-set the desired flow rate by rotating the dial to the appropriate position before starting the infusion. The mechanical gears maintain this setting without requiring continuous manual pressure, preventing the creep and hysteresis effects that occur with roller clamps that rely on sustained hand pressure.
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 provides high precision and affordability in controlling infusion fluid flow rates, maintaining accuracy during patient movement and accommodating various drip chamber sizes, reducing the risk of dosage errors and improving patient experience.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion-spring based clamping mechanism for holding drip chambers of different diameters
Implementation Method 2
a drop sensor connected with circuits for detecting real time drop rate
Implementation Method 3
a manual gear-based flow regulating mechanism for regulating the flow of infusion fluid through the infusion tubing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The device comprises of a housing defining a channel there through, a torsion-spring based clamping mechanism, a drop sensor connected with circuitry, a manual infusion fluid regulation mechanism and a power source. An upper portion of the channel accommodates at least a part of a drip chamber and a lower portion of the channel accommodates at least a part of infusion tubing. The clamping mechanism comprises of one or more torsion springs and is configured for engaging and holding drip chamber and can be adjusted according to the drip chamber diameter. The drop sensor and the circuits coupled with it are configured for detecting real time drop rate of the infusion fluid. The regulation mechanism comprises of a drivable pinching element for sliding into the channel and compressing the infusion tubing thereby regulating the flow of the infusion fluid through the infusion tubing.