Irrigation Line Flush Valve With Elastic Bypass Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush devices for irrigation lines used in invasive blood pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurement during surgery face challenges in maintaining a consistent flow rate of physiological saline solution, leading to potential thrombus formation and excessive fluid entry into the patient, especially during prolonged surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A flush device with a flow control mechanism featuring a base, protrusion, and elastic member, where the flow control device is fitted with projections that snap into receiving portions on the housing, allowing for precise positioning and deformation to create a bypass flow path, ensuring a consistent flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow rate of physiological saline solution discharged from the flush device is increased to prevent thrombus formation, then thrombus prevention is improved, but excessive fluid enters the patient's body which adversely affects the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastic member that can deform to adjust the flow rate parameter dynamically. The elastic member's deformation changes the opening size of the flow control device, thereby regulating the flow rate of physiological saline solution to maintain it within a safe and effective range, preventing both thrombus formation and excessive fluid entry into the patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control device incorporates an elastic member that can dynamically adjust its position based on pressure changes. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the device to automatically regulate flow rate in response to varying conditions, ensuring optimal flow control without manual intervention and maintaining safety during prolonged surgeries.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the flow rate of physiological saline solution discharged from the flush device is decreased to reduce fluid entry into the patient, then patient safety is improved, but thrombus formation cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member's deformation capability enables continuous adjustment of the flow rate parameter. When pressure increases, the elastic member deforms to reduce the opening size, limiting fluid entry. When pressure decreases, the opening enlarges to maintain sufficient flow for thrombus prevention, thus adapting to varying conditions automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control device utilizes pressure feedback to regulate flow rate. The elastic member responds to pressure changes within the irrigation line, automatically adjusting the flow control opening to maintain optimal flow conditions, thereby preventing both thrombus formation and excessive fluid accumulation in the patient's body.
3Ease of manufacture
If the flow control device is fixed to the second housing by ultrasonic bonding as in Patent Document 1, then manufacturing is simplified, but the mechanism for positioning the flow control device has room for improvement resulting in inconsistent flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic bonding mechanical connection with a deformation-based sealing mechanism using an elastic member. This substitution maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving superior positioning precision and sealing performance, as the elastic member's deformation provides both sealing and precise positioning functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member's deformable property enables it to adapt to the flow control device's position, providing both sealing and positioning functions. This parameter change from rigid to flexible connection maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving positioning precision and flow rate consistency.
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 effectively discharges a chemical liquid at a flow rate closer to a defined amount, preventing thrombus formation and minimizing excessive fluid entry into the patient, thereby enhancing surgical safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member provided around the base of the flow control device to seal off a space between the first flow path and the second flow path; wherein the elastic member is configured to be deformable to form a gap between the elastic member and an outer periphery of the base of the flow control device
Implementation Method 2
the protrusion of the flow control device is provided on its outer periphery with a plurality of fitting projections, and the first housing has an inner periphery defining the first flow path, the inner periphery being provided with a plurality of fitting receiving portions each being fitted to each of the plurality of fitting projections
Data Source
AI summary
A flush device including: a first housing provided with a first flow path; a second housing provided with a second flow path, the second housing being coupled to the first housing; a flow control device including a protrusion and a through hole connecting the first flow path to the second flow path in fluid communication; and an elastic member provided around the base of the flow control device to seal off a space between the first and the second flow paths. The elastic member is deformed to further connect the first and second flow paths in fluid communication. The first housing has an inner periphery provided with fitting receiving portions each being fitted to each of the fitting projections of the protrusion. According to this structure, the flush device can discharge a chemical liquid at a flow rate close to a defined amount.