Pressure-Actuated IV Flow Control for Backflow and Under-Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV sets with secondary fluid lines often experience under-infusion and backflow issues due to check valve failures and air entry, leading to inefficient drug delivery and potential patient safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A gravitational flow control device with a housing having primary and secondary inlets and an outlet, featuring a chamber and a pivotally mounted valve member that responds to fluid pressure differences to prevent backflow and ensure unidirectional flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a check valve is positioned in the primary line to prevent backflow, then backflow prevention is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to frequent failure from debris and air entry
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device is segmented into multiple functional zones within a single integrated structure: an primary inlet zone, a secondary inlet zone, a chamber for fluid mixing, and an outlet zone. The valve member is segmented with distinct sealing surfaces for each inlet, allowing independent control of each fluid line while maintaining overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple check valves into a single integrated flow control device. Instead of using separate check valves in each line that can fail independently, the invention combines backflow prevention for both primary and secondary lines into one unified device with a single valve member that responds to pressure differentials to control flow direction in both lines simultaneously
2Productivity
If air enters the secondary line causing under-infusion, then drug delivery efficiency deteriorates, but patient safety is compromised due to air embolisms
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber acts as an intermediary zone between the primary and secondary inlet lines and the outlet. This intermediate chamber allows fluid from both lines to mix and equalize before exiting, preventing air pockets from forming in the secondary line while ensuring complete drug delivery. The chamber design facilitates smooth fluid transition without creating conditions for air embolism
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member dynamically responds to pressure differentials between the primary and secondary lines, automatically adjusting its position to maintain proper flow balance. This dynamic control prevents air from entering the secondary line by maintaining positive pressure, ensuring both efficient drug delivery and patient safety without requiring manual intervention
3Ease of operation
If a pivotally mounted valve member responds to pressure differences, then unidirectional flow control is improved, but device complexity increases compared to simple check valves
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to be self-actuating, utilizing the pressure differential between the primary and secondary lines as its own actuating force. The higher pressure automatically pushes the valve member to the position that blocks the higher pressure line and opens the lower pressure line, eliminating the need for external actuators, sensors, or control systems. This self-service mechanism provides sophisticated flow control without adding device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical control systems with a simple pressure-responsive mechanical mechanism. Instead of using motors, solenoids, or electronic controls to manage flow direction, the system uses the inherent pressure differences in the fluid lines to mechanically actuate the valve member through a simple pivotal motion, achieving intelligent flow control with minimal mechanical complexity
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 prevents under-infusion and backflow, ensuring efficient delivery of medications from both primary and secondary fluid lines while minimizing the risk of air embolisms and particulate contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a valve member pivotally mounted on an upper surface of the chamber, the valve member configured to pivot in response to higher fluid pressure from gravitational fluid flow through one of the primary inlet and the secondary inlet
Implementation Method 2
an outlet disposed on a lower surface of the housing gravitationally downstream of the primary and secondary inlets
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control device includes a housing including a primary inlet and a secondary inlet each disposed on an upper surface of the housing, and an outlet disposed on a lower surface of the housing gravitationally downstream of the primary and secondary inlets. A chamber is disposed within the housing and fluidly connects the primary and secondary inlets with the outlet. A valve member is pivotally mounted on an upper surface of the chamber, the valve member configured to pivot in response to higher fluid pressure from gravitational fluid flow through one of the primary inlet and the secondary inlet.