IV Flow Rate Regulator With Flexible Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV flow rate regulators struggle to maintain a consistent flow rate due to variations in fluid pressure caused by changes in the volume of the IV solution and patient movement, leading to unpredictable and difficult-to-manage flow rate control in IV therapy.
Innovation Solution
A coaxially aligned IV flow rate regulator system comprising a housing, screw, dial, and flow control disk, with alignment features such as crush features and mating attachments, which compensates for pressure changes by adjusting the flow rate through a metering port using a flexible membrane to maintain a predetermined flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pinch valve or roller clamp is used to control IV flow rate, then the flow rate can be adjusted, but substantial deviations in flow rate occur due to pressure head variations
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control disk is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to pressure changes. The disk flexes in response to pressure variations, automatically compensating for head pressure changes and maintaining consistent flow rate without requiring manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the control element from rigid to flexible. The flexible membrane allows the control surface to deform under pressure, changing its geometric parameters dynamically to compensate for pressure variations and maintain stable flow control.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the IV bag volume decreases during therapy, then the treatment progresses, but the head pressure is reduced and flow rate slows
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane acts as a feedback mechanism that automatically responds to pressure changes. As pressure decreases due to volume reduction, the membrane flexes to open the flow path, and as pressure increases, it flexes to restrict flow, creating a self-regulating system that maintains constant flow rate throughout the therapy duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own pressure variations to control its operation. The flexible membrane automatically adjusts the flow path based on the pressure conditions created by the decreasing IV bag volume, eliminating the need for external intervention or additional control mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment features are added to ensure coaxial alignment of components, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses asymmetric positioning of alignment features (three crush features at specific angular positions) to achieve precise coaxial alignment. This asymmetric arrangement provides sufficient geometric constraints to ensure proper alignment of the screw, flow control disk, and metering port without requiring symmetric or excessive alignment elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features are pre-formed as integral parts of the molded housing and screw components. The crush features are built into the screw geometry during manufacturing, so that when the screw is inserted and tightened, the alignment function is automatically performed without requiring separate alignment operations or additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
An IV flow regulator includes a housing, a flow control disk, a screw, and a dial. The flow control disk establishes a rate of flow through the housing. The flow rate regulator further includes alignment features allowing for high volume manufacturing while also being assembled into an accurate and reliable flow rate regulator.