Infusion Pump Hose Clamp with Spring-Loaded Expander Rib

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arrangements for coupling an intravenous hose with an infusion pump do not adequately prevent uncontrolled delivery of medicinal solutions, as they can be improperly operated, leading to risks due to incorrect handling and lack of secure locking mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement features a hose clamp with hinge-based clamping surfaces and a biased spring, an expander rib on the door to open the clamp, a receiver in the housing for secure insertion, and a locking device that prevents door closure without proper hose clamp insertion, ensuring the hose is fully secured before operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple hose clamp design is used without a locking device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of preventing uncontrolled infusion is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose clamp structureVSAvoidprevention of uncontrolled infusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hose clamp is pre-loaded by a spring mechanism to automatically clamp the hose when the door is closed. The expander rib is positioned in advance to engage with the clamp's release mechanism, ensuring the hose is secured before the pump operates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hose clamp uses a self-actuating spring mechanism that automatically clamps the hose when the door closes, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system uses the door closure motion itself to trigger the clamping action through the expander rib engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a locking device is added to prevent door closure without proper hose clamp insertion, then the reliability of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure locking mechanismVSAvoidlocking device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged with the door closure mechanism and hose clamp assembly. The expander rib on the door directly engages with the hose clamp's release mechanism, combining the door's closing motion with the clamping action in a single integrated operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The door serves multiple functions: it provides enclosure for the pump, acts as the actuating mechanism for the hose clamp through the expander rib, and serves as the locking element that prevents operation when the hose is not properly clamped. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate locking components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the hose clamp requires manual closing operation, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the risk of improper operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual clamp operationVSAvoidprevention of improper operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hose clamp automatically clamps the hose through the spring mechanism when the door closes, eliminating manual operation. The system uses the door closure motion itself to trigger the clamping action, ensuring consistent and proper operation without relying on user skill or attention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Device complexity

If the hose clamp is designed with a simple spring mechanism without an expander rib, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control hose flow is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamp mechanismVSAvoidhose flow control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expander rib is pre-positioned on the door to engage with the hose clamp's release mechanism. When the door closes, the rib automatically pushes the clamp legs apart to open the clamp, ensuring the hose is opened at the precise moment the pump should begin operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution prevents uncontrolled infusion by ensuring the hose clamp is properly engaged and closed before the pump is operated, reducing the risk of improper operation and ensuring safe delivery of medicinal solutions.

Implementation Method 1

the legs being enveloped on their outside by a biased clamping spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

clamping surfaces in the form of legs which can move relative one another about a hinge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS7611498B2Arrangement for the coupling of an intravenous tube with infusion pump

Publication Date: 2009.11.03 CODAN MEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The invention concerns an arrangement to couple an intravenous hose having a roller clamp with an infusion pump. A hose clamp has clamping surfaces in the form of legs which can move relative one another about a hinge, the legs being enveloped on their outside by a biased clamping spring, and the device is formed by an expander rib that is fastened on the inside of the door and can be brought into engagement with the legs of the hose clamp so to produce the open position after closing the door to expand the legs. The housing has a receiver, into which the hose clamp can be snapped, and that a locking device is present in the housing that prevents the closing of the door if the hose clamp is not inserted into the receiver and permits the closing of the door when the hose clamp is fully inserted.