Infusion Line Filter With Overpressure Valve for Backflow Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV filters face issues with hydrophilic membranes detaching or breaking due to reverse flow pressure, compromising filtration efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an overpressure valve within the filter's box-like body to manage excess pressure during backflow, preventing membrane detachment by diverting excess liquid through a by-pass conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydrophilic membrane is fixed to the plate-like element, then the filtration function is achieved, but the membrane may detach or break under high backflow pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The overpressure valve acts as an intermediary component between the backflow pressure source and the hydrophilic membrane. It intercepts and manages the excessive pressure through the obturator mechanism, preventing the direct transmission of harmful forces to the membrane structure, thus protecting the membrane from detachment or breakage while maintaining normal filtration operations
Solution Approach 2:
The overpressure valve provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-configured to activate when backflow pressure exceeds safe thresholds. The elastic obturator is pre-positioned to deflect and absorb excess pressure energy before it can accumulate and damage the membrane, creating a protective buffer mechanism that maintains system integrity under abnormal conditions
2Reliability
If the overpressure valve is added to protect the membrane, then the membrane detachment risk is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overpressure valve is merged with the existing filter body structure, sharing the same housing and integration points. The valve components (chamber, obturator, by-pass conduit) are combined with the filtration elements in a unified design, allowing the protection function to be added without requiring a completely separate system, thus limiting the increase in overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The overpressure valve serves multiple functions: it protects the membrane from backflow damage, provides pressure relief, and maintains system integrity. This multi-functionality means that a single added component achieves several protective and operational goals simultaneously, reducing the need for additional separate mechanisms and thereby limiting complexity growth
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
Prevents membrane detachment and breakage during reverse flow, ensuring consistent filtration performance by managing excess pressure effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an obturator consisting of an elastic membrane which controls the communication between the outlet connector and the channels of the plate-like element
Implementation Method 2
vent openings with associated hydrophobic membranes for deaerating the liquid
Implementation Method 3
a filtering hydrophilic membrane which separates the channels from an interspace
Data Source
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AI summary
Filter for medical infusion lines comprising a box-like body (1) having an inlet connector (6) and inside which there is arranged a plate-like element (8) on whose one or both opposite faces there are formed respective channels (9) placed in communication with an outlet connector (7). Filtering hydrophilic membranes (10) separate the channels (9) from at least one interspace (12) placed in communication with the inlet connector (6). With the outlet connector (7) there is operatively associated an overpressure valve (14) incorporated in the box-like body (1) of the filter.