Integrated Drop Counter Housing for Infusion Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid flow control systems for infusion sets are prone to errors and malfunctions due to loose wires and complex mounting procedures, making them difficult to apply and increasing the risk of entanglement and disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained liquid flow control system with a drop sensor, valve, and electrical circuits mounted on a common housing, featuring a light beam emitter and sensors to securely sense drop passage, and a length-adjustable carrier mechanism for easy attachment to infusion sets, eliminating loose wires and simplifying the mounting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate individual units (drop sensor, valve, electrical circuits) are used and interconnected by electrical wires, then the system can perform liquid flow control functions, but the system becomes difficult to apply, prone to entanglement and disconnection, and mounting is error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drop sensor, valve, electrical circuits, and battery into a single integrated housing unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate components connected by wires, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability. The integrated design ensures that all functions are contained in one secure unit that attaches to the infusion set as a single component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate units are mounted on the infusion set, then the system can be configured with individual components, but the mounting procedure becomes complex and error-prone requiring multiple instructions
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all functional units into a single housing, the patent simplifies the mounting procedure from multiple separate installations to one single attachment operation. The integrated unit requires only one mounting instruction set, greatly improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability through the universal attachment mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If the drip chamber is inclined so that drops do not fall along the axis, then the drop sensor can sense drops, but the sensing accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light as an intermediary to detect drops. Instead of relying on drops falling directly along the sensor axis, the light beam emitter and light sensors create an optical field that can detect drops regardless of their precise position or the inclination of the drip chamber. This optical intermediary enables accurate sensing even when drops do not fall along the axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing (relying on drop position and gravity) with optical sensing. The light beam emitter and light sensors create an optical detection system that is not dependent on the mechanical positioning of drops along an axis. This substitution allows the system to accurately detect drops regardless of drip chamber inclination.
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 system reduces the risk of errors and malfunctions by providing a secure, easy-to-attach, and reliable liquid flow control solution that can be used with various infusion sets, ensuring accurate drop sensing and flow rate regulation without entanglement or disconnection issues.
Implementation Method 1
a light beam emitter for emitting a light beam and at least two light sensors arranged for co-operating with said light beam emitter such that an alteration of said light beam by a drop in said drip chamber is sensed by at least one of said light sensors
Implementation Method 2
a battery for powering the drop sensor, the electrical circuits and the valve activating means
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid flow control system for use with infusion sets of the type comprising a liquid supply, a drip chamber 8 downstream of the liquid supply for forming liquid drops and a flexible tube 7 connecting the drip chamber with an injection needle, the system comprising a drop sensor 4 adapted for being arranged adjacent the drip chamber for sensing the passage of drops through the drip chamber, a valve 19 adapted for controlling the flow of the liquid through the tube, valve activating means for activating the valve, electrical circuits for registering the rate of drop formation and controlling the valve activating means, and a battery for powering the drop sensor, the electrical circuits and the valve activating means, the drop sensor, the valve, the valve activating means, the electrical circuits and the battery being mounted on or in a common housing having housing attachment means for releasably attaching the housing to the flexible tube.