IV Flow Clamp Assembly With Self-Locking Slider Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller clamps in IV sets suffer from instability at high flow rates, leading to inaccurate fluid delivery due to the wheel drifting from its set position, causing variations in the flow rate.
Innovation Solution
A stable IV flow regulation clamp assembly featuring a housing with a T-shaped channel and a slider mechanism, where a rotation knob with an engagement member interacts with a threaded slider bore to maintain consistent flow control through a self-locking mechanism, ensuring the slider maintains its position against the tube due to greater frictional force than the helical sliding tendency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional roller clamp is used to control IV flow, then the device is easy to operate with one hand, but the wheel drifts from its set position at high flow rates causing inaccurate fluid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into functionally independent segments: a slider mechanism for flow control and a rotation knob for positioning. The slider is held in place by friction between the tube and slider, while the rotation knob provides incremental adjustment through engagement with the slider bore. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interfering with the other, preventing the drift problem while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation knob acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's hand and the slider. Instead of directly moving the slider, the user rotates the knob which then incrementally adjusts the slider position through engagement with the bore. This intermediary provides fine control and prevents overshooting the desired position, improving flow rate accuracy while keeping the device easy to operate.
2Device complexity
If the roller clamp wheel is held in position by transient fit and friction, then the structure remains simple, but the wheel drifts away from its set position over time at high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The slider mechanism is self-positioning and self-holding. The friction between the IV tube and the slider automatically holds the slider in place without requiring additional locking mechanisms. The rotation knob engages with the slider bore to provide incremental positioning, and the system self-regulates to maintain the set position during operation, achieving both simplicity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation knob is designed to engage with the slider bore before the slider is fully positioned. This preliminary engagement allows the user to make incremental adjustments and lock the slider into place before beginning fluid administration. The friction fit is established in advance, preventing drift during high flow rates without adding complex locking mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual locking mechanisms are added to prevent wheel drift, then position stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the IV tube itself as the locking mechanism. The friction between the tube and the slider naturally holds the slider in position without requiring separate locking components. The rotation knob provides incremental adjustment and the engagement with the slider bore ensures the slider remains positioned, achieving stability through the existing components rather than adding manual locking mechanisms.
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 assembly provides stable and accurate fluid flow regulation, preventing drift and ensuring consistent flow rates without manual locking mechanisms, enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the wheel tends to drift away from its set position... greater frictional force than the helical sliding tendency
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow regulation clamp assembly for adjusting the fluid flow rate in a connector tube of an infusion set is provided. The flow regulation clamp assembly includes a housing to receive the connector tube, a slider slideably engaged within the housing and configured to compress the connector tube to provide a fluid flow adjustment, and a rotator knob moveable engaged with the housing and configured to move the slider. Infusion sets and methods of adjusting fluid flow rates are also provided.