Infusion Device Sliding Clamp for Adaptive Line Pinching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion devices face challenges in providing a simple, intuitive, and reliable clamping mechanism that can accommodate different infusion lines from various manufacturers while preventing free flow conditions and ensuring easy line placement.
Innovation Solution
A clamping mechanism with a stationary base element and a movable clamping element that slides onto the infusion line, using elastic pretensioning to adjust to different line dimensions and structures, ensuring reliable pinching and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional slide clamp mechanism is used, then the infusion line can be pinched off reliably, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is divided into two separate elements: a stationary base element and a movable clamping element. This segmentation allows the complex pinching action to be achieved through a simple linear movement of the clamping element along the infusion line, rather than requiring a complex multi-component mechanism. The clamping element can be actuated by simple means such as a finger or small motor, significantly reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable pinching functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clamping mechanism is designed for universal compatibility, then different infusion lines can be accommodated, but the precision of pinching may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed with adjustable parameters including its length, width, and clamping force. The element can be made from elastic materials that allow it to adapt its shape and dimensions to match different infusion line specifications. By varying these parameters, the same basic clamping mechanism design can effectively accommodate infusion lines from different manufacturers with different dimensions, while still achieving precise and reliable pinching through optimized elastic deformation and contact pressure distribution.
3Reliability
If the clamping element is automatically closed when the door is closed, then free flow is prevented, but the operation becomes less intuitive for users
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed to automatically assume the clamping position when the door is closed, utilizing the door's closing motion or the spring's elastic force to drive the clamping element into contact with the infusion line. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual clamping operations, ensuring that free flow is prevented automatically whenever the door is closed. The system performs the clamping function autonomously based on the door state, improving both reliability and ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a spring element is used to pretension the clamping element, then the mechanism can adapt to line tolerances, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spring element is integrated into the clamping mechanism to provide elastic pretension to the clamping element. This spring allows the clamping element to adapt to variations in infusion line dimensions and tolerances by elastically deforming and adjusting the contact pressure. The spring element absorbs dimensional variations and ensures consistent clamping force across different infusion lines, improving adaptability while adding minimal complexity through a single elastic component that can be easily incorporated into the existing clamping structure.
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 mechanism allows for easy and versatile use with different infusion lines, preventing free flow and enabling reliable pinching, with automatic adjustment to line tolerances and dimensions, facilitating intuitive line placement and ensuring controlled fluid delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (22) being formed and arranged to elastically pretension the clamping element (20) with respect to the housing (10) towards a position corresponding to the release position of the clamping element (20)
Implementation Method 2
the clamping element (20) in a sliding fashion onto the infusion line (30) for pinching the infusion line (30) in between a first clamping face (205) of the clamping element (20) and a second clamping face (212) of the base element (21)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An infusion device (1), comprises a housing (10) having a receptacle (100) for receiving an infusion line (30), a pump mechanism (12) for delivering a medical fluid through an infusion line (30) received in the receptacle (100), and a clamping mechanism (2) having a clamping element (20) being pivotably connected to the housing (10) about a pivot axis (200) and being movable with respect to the housing (10) between a clamping position for acting onto an infusion line (30) received in the receptacle (100) to locally pinch off the infusion line (30) and a release position for allowing a flow through the infusion line (30). Herein, the clamping mechanism (2) comprises a base element (21) arranged on the housing (10), the clamping element (20) being movable with respect to the base element (21) for sliding the clamping element (20) onto the infusion line (30) for pinching the infusion line (30) in between a first clamping face (205) of the clamping element (20) and a second clamping face (212) of the base element (21) in the clamping position or for sliding the clamping element (20) off the infusion line (30) for allowing a flow through the infusion line (30) in the release position.