IV Infusion Carrier Pack with Inflatable Pressure Cuff
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Solution Overview
Problem
In emergency medical situations, especially in combat and rescue operations, it is challenging to maintain the optimal temperature of intravenous fluids and ensure continuous infusion due to varying environmental temperatures and the inability to keep IV bags elevated, leading to slowed or stopped fluid transfer.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, hollow IV infusion bag carrier pack with a heat-permeable divider and inflatable pressure cuff, allowing for temperature control using heat or cold packets and pressurization of the IV fluids bag, enabling continuous infusion regardless of the bag's position relative to the patient, and can be worn hands-free for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the IV bag is placed on the patient's body or stretcher in combat or rescue situations, then the personnel can move freely and hands-free operation is achieved, but the IV fluid transfer is greatly slowed or effectively stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the IV bag into two separate compartments: a first compartment for the IV bag and a second compartment for the pressure cuff. This segmentation allows the pressure cuff to be inflated independently to pressurize the IV bag, maintaining fluid transfer while allowing hands-free operation. The compartments are separated by a flexible divider panel that allows pressure transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic pressure from an inflatable cuff to pressurize the IV bag and maintain fluid flow. The pressure cuff, when inflated, transmits pressure through the flexible IV bag to ensure continuous infusion, replacing the need for gravitational elevation while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If the IV bag is held in an elevated position above the patient, then continuous IV fluid transfer is assured by gravity, but the personnel cannot move freely and hands are encumbered
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the gravitational mechanical system with a pneumatic pressure system. Instead of relying on gravity to drive fluid flow, an inflatable pressure cuff creates positive pressure to push fluids through the catheter, eliminating the need for elevated positioning and freeing the personnel's hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier pack serves multiple functions: it holds the IV bag, contains the pressure cuff, provides temperature control through heat/cold packets, and enables hands-free operation. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate equipment into a single portable unit.
3Temperature
If heat-generating or cold-generating packets are placed adjacent to the IV bag, then temperature control of the fluids is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines temperature control functionality directly into the carrier pack by placing heat-generating or cold-generating packets in direct contact with the IV bag through the flexible divider panel. This merging of functions (IV bag holding, pressure control, and temperature control) into a single integrated unit achieves fluid temperature control without requiring separate external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls fluid temperature by changing the thermal parameters of the environment surrounding the IV bag. Heat-generating or cold-generating packets alter the temperature parameter directly at the IV bag location, providing simple and effective temperature control through physical parameter change rather than complex mechanical systems.
4Reliability
If the carrier pack is designed with a flexible hollow bag and internal compartments, then protectively carrying the IV bag and pressure cuff is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier pack is divided into two interior compartments separated by a flexible divider panel, allowing independent formation and assembly of each compartment. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by enabling modular construction where the IV bag compartment and pressure cuff compartment can be produced and assembled separately, then combined into the final unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier pack utilizes a flexible hollow bag structure with thin film materials that can be easily formed and sealed. The flexible divider panel and bag walls are made from thin, pliable materials that simplify manufacturing while providing the necessary protective enclosure. This approach allows the carrier pack to be formed from simple extruded or molded shapes rather than requiring complex assembly of rigid components.
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 solution ensures continuous, temperature-controlled infusion of IV fluids, maintaining optimal fluid temperature and flow during transport and treatment, even in extreme environments, without encumbering medical personnel, and allows for easy bag replacement without disconnecting the catheter tube.
Implementation Method 1
heat-generating packet or cold-generating packet for disposition immediately adjacent the divider panel separating the two compartments, whereby an IV fluids bag contained in the first pocket may be selectively heated or cooled during transport and dispensing
Implementation Method 2
the inflatable pressure cuff member of a blood pressure apparatus and, if desired, a selected heat-generating packet or cold-generating packet for disposition immediately adjacent the divider panel separating the two compartments, whereby an IV fluids bag contained in the first pocket may be selectively heated or cooled
Data Source
AI summary
An IV infusion bag carrier pack is arranged as a substantially hollow, flexible bag having an interior that is divided into two interior compartments by a flexible, heat permeable divider panel, one interior compartment being arranged to receive and confine an IV fluids bag and the other interior compartment arranged to receive and confine the inflatable pressure cuff member of a blood pressure apparatus, whereby an IV fluids bag contained in the first pocket may be selectively pressurized by inflation of the blood pressure cuff contained in the second pocket whereby selectively controlled infusion delivery of IV fluids contained in the carrier pack apparatus may be continuously maintained irrespective of the relative disposition of the carrier pack apparatus and patient during treatment, extrication and rescue in the field, and transport to a medical facility.